Don’t shoot the messenger, but this is not what we had hoped for.

Hugo Ruiz replaces injured Abner Mares @abnermares for Feb. 9 Gervonta Davis @Gervontaa title bout https://t.co/vKoN8Npc0w

— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) January 30, 2019

One of the most exciting bouts of the first quarter now feels a little anti-climatic as Gervonta “Tank” Davis will face featherweight Hugo Ruiz, who will move up a division to face Davis on nine days notice.

Ruiz, a former WBC super bantamweight world champ, who last fought Alberto Guevara, who replaced Jhack Tepora in the opening bout of the pay-per-view telecast of Manny Pacquiao vs. Adrien Broner, will look to parlay his highly watched January win into a Cinderella story of sorts. Ruiz is a heavy-handed puncher who mostly campaigned at 118 and 122 lbs, but in his last two fights has fought at 126 lbs. Ruiz is a fighter with a 77% knockout ratio and looks to get the finish early, but also is prone to getting knocked out as three of his four losses have come by way of him being relieved of his senses.

Gervonta Davis was originally set to fight Abner Mares, but the bout has been called off as Mares was injured.

The bout will main event Showtime on February 9th at the Dignity Health Sports Center in Carson, Ca.