By Sev Sarkisian: 

Fight fans will be treated to a fun and explosive matchup on February 9^th between the experienced former 3 division champion Abner Mares (31-3-1 15KO’s) and current WBA world super featherweight champion in Gervonte Davis (20-0 19KO’s).  This fight will take place at the Stub Hub Center in Carson California and will be televised live on Showtime. 

Gervonta Davis is without a doubt one of the sports most explosive and powerful fighters.  Davis Stands at about 5’5 ½ in height and possesses a 67 ½ inch reach.  He carries true one-punch knockout power in both hands and has great hand speed and agility.  He also fights out of the southpaw stance and has an aggressive mentality every time he steps in the ring, he is truly an offensive force.  He holds wins over the likes of Jorge Pedraza, Liam Walsh and Francisco Fonseca.  In my opinion, the Pedraza win was his most impressive, especially because  Pedraza afterward moved up and won a title in a second division. 

Abner Mares, on the other hand, is not only a 3 division world champion but a fan-friendly fighter with a big following. He stands at 5’4 ½ and possesses a 66-inch reach.  He holds wins over the likes of Vic Darchinyan (controversial), Yonnhy Perez, Joseph Agbeko (twice), Anselmo Moreno and Daniel Ponce De Leon.  Abner has shown good boxing skills when he has decided to use them but he has also shown that he can fight like a classic Mexican pressure volume puncher as well.  However, even down at bantamweight Abner was never considered to be a big puncher.  He also suffered his first defeat by knockout against Johnny Gonzalez at featherweight.  In my opinion, going up to the super featherweight division and facing a murderous puncher like Davis is going to be a little too much for the former bantamweight in Mares.  However, I defiantly see this fight being fun and explosive for as long as it lasts!