Gervonta “Tank” Davis is being hyped as a smaller version of Mike Tyson. It’s not just because of his punching power, which has produced 21 knockouts in 22 fights, but also due to his fan appeal, from the urban market to all followers of combat sports.
“He has the ‘it’ factor,” said Leonard Ellerbe of Mayweather Promotions. “We don’t see many stars in our sport that bring that to the table, and that’s what makes him the most exciting young star in the entire sport.”
Davis, 25, has performed in front of sellout crowds in Carson, Calif., and his hometown of Baltimore this year. The unbeaten super featherweight champion is expected to draw another large crowd on Saturday night in Atlanta when he moves up to 135 pounds to challenge Cuban Olympic gold medal winner and former two-division world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa for the WBA lightweight championship.
Showtime will televise the bout from State Farm Arena along with the supporting attraction, in which Jean Pascal (34-6-1, 20 KOs) defends his WBA light heavyweight championship against former title holder Badou Jack (22-2-3, 13 KOs). These will be the first world championship fights in Atlanta since Evander Holyfield faced Vaughn Bean in September 1998.
“This is my first time fighting in Atlanta,” Davis said. “I’ve been coming here for over four or five years and I’ve been wanting to fight here. Atlanta always shows me love and I always thought fighting here would be big. I have a big fan base here.”
Davis’ seek-and-destroy style has made him a fan favorite. The only time he has gone the distance was in 2014 in a six-round bout against German Meraz. He has recorded 13 straight stoppages since then and will look to keep his streak going against Gamboa (30-2, 18 KOs).
“I can’t say whether I’ll get the knockout,” Davis said. “But I’ve trained very hard and I’ve been focused on the main goal, which is to get the win.” I know that Gamboa is a tough opponent and he’ll lay it all on the line. If it goes 12 rounds, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m looking to make this a great fight for me and also the fans. I’ve been doing this for so many years that I believe Gamboa can’t bring anything to the ring that I haven’t seen.”
Gamboa is a credible opponent, having won titles at 126 and 130 pounds. Though he hasn’t owned a belt since 2013, he has won his past four fights.
“I definitely think I’ve faced the better opponents and the better quality of opponents than Gervonta has with all due respect to him,” Gamboa said. “There are a lot of things that are being overlooked that I believe give me a definite advantage.”
Pascal’s title defense against Jack should also be entertaining. Pascal regained his light heavyweight title by defeating Marcus Browne on cuts in August. Jack had lost the WBA belt to Browne in January after suffering a nasty cut in the middle of his forehead.
“I think Pascal can bring the best out of me on Saturday night,” Jack said. “Styles make fights and I think our styles will mesh. Pascal and I both come to fight. He’s a tough guy and I expect nothing less than a tough fight.”
Services for Bronx native Paul “Saoul” Mamby will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Williams Institution CME Church, 2239 Adam Clayton Power Jr. Blvd., in New York. Mamby, the WBC super lightweight champion from 1980-82, died on Dec. 19 at age 72.
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