Monday Morning Boxing Coach: Gervonta Davis Is A Star, Loma Is Back
Lukie breaks down the week of boxing June 25th-27th, 2021, with context, and future expectations.
Gervonta Davis, One Of Boxing’s Biggest Draws, and Stars
Gervonta “Tank” Davis defeated Mario Barrios who held a form of the WBA 140 lbs world title, which the WBA recognizes both Barrios and Josh Taylor as respective world champions, but most people view Taylor as the most accomplished world champion in the division. Davis, who lost early rounds, put pressure on Barrios, and dropped him twice in the eighth, finishing the fight in the eleventh in dramatic fashion, as Davis dropped Barrios in that round with the ref waving it off quickly thereafter.
Most impressive is the fact that 16,570 fans packed in Atlanta, Georgia, to see Davis perform, at the State Farm Arena, as the early feeling is Tank’s second bout on Showtime pay-per-view is a success. This was Davis’ second bout on PPV, as his first endeavor was against Leo Santa Cruz, a bout that he also won in dramatic fashion via knockout.
The big story for me was two-fold. Tank might be one of the few fighters who draws in the casual boxing fan. The only others I can think of are Canelo, Pacquiao, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua, beyond that, all of our elite fighters are mostly, for all us, the boxing fans, and not so much, the person who stumbles into the sport. Mayweather Promotions has moved Tank well, and in Davis’ adopted hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, originally from Baltimore, Maryland, seems excited to support future bouts, as Davis being walked to the ring by Lil Baby, a popular musican, shows the interwinded nature of Davis and hip-hop culture.
Davis played to his strengths as he used subtle movement to inch closer to land his body work, moving like a fast version a tank, hence his nickname, a strong frame with an even stronger punch. Davis’ career is being masterfully handled by Mayweather Promotions, as the plan looks to me to me, to get Davis in a situation to accumulate generational wealth, and let the fans, and media discuss legacy. Davis is accurring wealth, but also accolades as, Davis is now at top-5 star in the sport of boxing, and just needs marquee fights to become one of the transcendent fighters of the decade, as he is one of the youngest fighters to make it to PPV, and his mentor, Floyd Mayweather, has set forth a template through his own career, that appears to have put Davis is the best situation possible.
Davis is giving strong “Sugar” Shane Mosley vibes, a smaller guy with a big punch, talent and hand speed. Yet, it is hard to not compare him to Mike Tyson, as “Tank” Davis carries the anger, and explosiveness of a Tyson, as Davis looks to show people in the ring, he has had a hard life through his fighting style.
Most impressive was many unofficial scorers had Barrios up on their card or the bout being very close, as Davis showed a killer instinct as well as being more than “just a puncher”, as he set up the big shots with crudely placed right hands.
This was the defining performance from Davis, now we will await the big fight with all the exciting talent at 135 lbs. In a perfect world, Davis would next fight Vasyl Lomachenko in a bout that I would see Davis as a slight favorite in at this point in Davis’ career.
Lomachenko Is Back!
Greatness knows no bounds, and Vasyl Lomachenko, a fighter motivated solely by legacy, and not so much money, seems to have found his motivation for the sport of boxing once again, as he looked as good as ever as he stopped Masayoshi Nakatani in nine rounds, as Lomachenko looks like a man on a mission. Some saw the bout as a mismatch, but I didn’t – Nakatani is huge in height, active with punches and relentless with pressure. Lomachenko used every aspect of his game to naturalize the much bigger man, even dropping him in the fifth round, and eventually stopping as mentioned prior.
Despite a head butt in the first round, Lomachenko turned back the clock showing how versatile of a fighter he is, with this win. Lomachenko, who signed with Top Rank, mostly based on getting a shot at a world title in his second fight, is showing why he is a generational type fighter, as this was the most motivated Lomachenko in some time.
If someone ever asks you ‘why is Lomachenko great?” Put on the Nakatani fight and you will see, why. It was clear that Lomachenko did not want to take back-to-back losses after his loss to Teofimo Lopez, and now he seems more motivated than ever to beat Lopez, and unify all the lightweight titles. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lomachenko has just one more professional fight left, and that is against Teofimo Lopez.
“Everybody saw how I won this fight, and everybody is waiting for the rematch {with Lopez}, so let’s make a rematch,” said Lomachenko after the fight hinting that he wants a rematch with undisputed lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez. “He has a fight in the future with {George} Kambosos, but how about after, in the beginning of next year? December, January, February, I am waiting.”
Even In Defeat – Mario Barrios Gains Fans
We need more men in the world like Mario Barrios. Even in defeat, Barrios was classy, the same class he showed when he bought his family a house before he bought one for himself. Barrios is an elite fighter, who gives off strong vibes of a modern day Robert Guerrero, and working with a similar team Bob Santos and Mario Serrano, along with famed coach Vergil Hunter, Barrios should be a staple of main event boxing for the next five years.
Erickson Lubin Now #1 Contender
Erickson Lubin’s comeback trail to the top of the division is nearly complete after a first-round knockout loss to Jermell Charlo years ago, as Lubin stopped Jeison Rosario, in six rounds. The fight was action-packed as neither guy focused much upon defense, but Lubin proved to be the bigger puncher of the two and overcame adversity in the fourth round as well.
Jake Donovan stated a sentiment I felt as well on Twitter, as I paraphrase, that PBC had always seen Lubin as more than what he showed in the Charlo fight.
Lubin, a former #1 ranked U.S.A. Boxer, who turned pro at a younger age with Iron Mike Promotions, has rebuilt his career with Kevin Cunningham, the famed coach who had success with Cory Spinks and Devon Alexander. In Lubin’s last three fights, he has beaten Nathaniel Gallimore, Terrell Gausha, and now Jeison Rosario. Lubin is now the #1 contender for Jermell Charlo’s WBC 154 lbs title with the win, albeit Charlo is looking to become an undisputed world champ at 154 lbs in a few weeks against Brian Castano, so if he wins, we will see if he stays in the division or moves up.
Lubin could face say Errol Spence Jr., if Spence moved up or even someone like Julian Williams or Luis Arias in the near future for title, which would be fun.
Alimkhanuly KOs Brant
Janibek Alimkhanuly picked up an eighth-round stoppage of former world champion Rob Brant, in a one-sided fight that looked to put Alimkhanuly, who is trained by Buddy McGirt, in the conversation of the world title in the middleweight division. Rob Brant seemingly had the camp from hell as he had legal issues with one of his promoters prior to this bout, seemed noticeably more on edge for this bout, as well as his trainer, Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, seemed frustrated in a media scrum after the pre-fight press conference.
Alimkhanuly now becomes a player in the division, as he dominated a former world champion, but not to discredit the win, but this felt like Errol Spence stopping Chris Algieri, a bout in which Algieri looked distracted before entering the bout. Alimkhanuly has a great career ahead of him, and hopefully he can land a big fight with one of the world champions.
California’s Ricardo Sandoval Now #1 Contender For IBF Flyweight Champ Sunny Edwards
Golden Boy Promotions’ Ricardo Sandoval is giving off strong Daniel Roman vibes in defeating Jay Harris in the U.K. Sandoval’s targeted body attack was far too much for Harris who was dropped twice in the eighth round, with the second ending the bout.
Sandoval now will face Sunny Edwards for the IBF flyweight world title in the near future.
Sunday PBC Card Results
Super Middleweight David Morrell, who hold some form of the WBA world title defeated Mario Cazares via a first-round stoppage when Cazares walked into a devastating punch that KO’ed him. Cazares had beaten Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., last year, so the fight not just served as a great homecoming for Morrell, a Cuban boxer, who has relocated Minneapolis, but also to show just how far Chavez Jr. has fallen from his once form.
Morrell should be in a meaningful fairly soon, as he is already in 12-round fights in just his fourth pro bout.
Atif Oberlton of Philly, who finished runner-up to Rahim Gonzales at the Olympic Trials in 2019, defeated Richmond, California’s Jasper McCargo. Oberlton fed off McCargo putting himself on the ropes and gained more and more confidence as the fight progressed. Oberlton dropped McCargo in rounds four and five, with the ref stopping it in the fifth. McCargo was at one time a #1 ranked amateur boxer in USA Boxing, for Oblerton to stop him in his 3rd fight at light heavyweight was a major statement. Oberlton gives off Paul Williams/Willie Nelson vibes.
Super middleweight Alantez Fox picked up a seventh-round KO over Manny Woods, Fox is a fighter who could face many different fighters in the PBC stable such as David Morrell, David Benavidez, Caleb Plant, amongst others.
Travon Marshall picked up his second career win defeating Ruben Torres of Sacramento, Ca, who is trained by Ray Woods, in an action-packed fight.
Julio Cesar Martinez KOs Joel Cordova
In the first of what should be many cards on DAZN focused more so on the Mexican boxing market with heavy ties to generational Mexican boxer, Canelo Alvarez, WBC flyweight world champion stopped Joel Cordova in six rounds. The fight served as a good bounce-back fight after injuries have delayed his last two bouts, as the exciting flyweight is finding his toughest battle currently is making it to the ring. It is also noticeable that this card was not heavily promoted in American, and felt more so as a local market show.
Matchroom USA super middleweight Diego Pacheco picked up a sixth-round TKO over Jesus Moroyoqui Palomares, light flyweight Daniel Matellon defeated Jose Argumedo via a twelve-round close decision WBA interim light flyweight.
Random Undercard Notes
140 lbs Batyr Akhmedov, who trains with Joel Diaz, stopped former IBF super featherweight world champion Algenis Mendez in eight-rounds. Akhmedov gave Mario Barrios hell in the fight on the Errol Spence Jr. versus Shawn Porter undercard, in which Barrios won a close fight. Akhmedov is a pressure fighter, who knows who he is. A fight between Akmedov versus Subriel Matias would be a fighter of the year contender.
Julian Williams was forced out of his bout with a late injury, and his opponent, Brian Mendoza, was left without a dancing partner that being said, Carlos Adames made the most of a last second call-up as he stopped Alexis Salazar in three rounds. Adames is a strong, big-puncher in the 154 lbs division who is a world-level fighter.
Super featherweight Leduan Barthelemy defeated unbeaten Viktor Slavinskyi via a ten-round decision, and Gervonta Davis sparring partner, Stacey Selby continued his unbeaten ways as a pro, stopping William Parra Smith in three rounds.
After a tough bout with Antonio DeMarco, Giovani Santillan picked up a solid eight-round decision over Cecil McCalla, bantamweight Floyd “Cashflow” Diaz got a four-round decision over previously unbeaten Jamie Jasso, heavyweight Guido Vianello is getting closer to a big fight with a second-round KO of Marlon Williams, and DeMichael Harris, a prospect who is being praised in the gyms, got a third-round KO of Jonatan Hernan Godoy.
Off-TV – Abram Martinez won a form of the WBA title in the 140 lbs division, stopping Andres Garcia in six-rounds in Columbia. Martinez is big power puncher who has already been in a slew of fan-friendly fights, and will continue to be, and appears to be working with manager Shane Shapiro now.
2016 U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell picked up a win on the regional scene staying active as his last bout against Mark DeLuca was postponed, when Teofimo Lopez contracted COVID-19, postponing the Triller PPV of Lopez v. Kambosos Jnr.
Upset Alert
Super lightweight All Rivera pulled off the shocker of the night defeating Omar Juarez by way of a majority decision. Rivera, put a lot of pressure on Juarez and despite punch stats being higher for Juarez, a costly knockdown in the ninth round that saw Juarez hit the deck proved to be the deciding factor. Rivera had previously lost to Malik Hawinks and Rances Barthelemy.
154 lbs Nathaniel Gallimore seemed to be at a bad place in his career, but a decision win over previously unbeaten Leon Lawson III, as Gallimore had recently lost to Julian Williams, Patrick Teixeria, Erickson Lubin and Sebastian Fundora. This win gives Gallimore new life, and could potentially see him pitted up against Carlos Adames in the near future. Gallimore was able to bully the 6’5″ Lawson who just didn’t have the power or volume throughout the fight to keep Gallimore off him.
Bantamweight Luis Fernando Saavedra defeated previously unbeaten Robert Rodriguez, who trains with Robert Garcia, and is from San Antonio, Texas. Rodriguez, a heavy favorite, who had several knockouts during the bubble shows last year, was outworked Rodriguez in a shocking upset. Saavedra’s last fight he beat previously unbeaten Mario Hernandez of Thompson Boxing.
Veteran tough guy Angel Hernandez fought Andres Gutierrez to a draw in an undercard welterweight bout. Hernandez has an unassuming record, but comes in shape, throws a lot of punches, and is fearless. A truly formidable opponent.
Upcoming Week Of Boxing
This is an easy week to keep track of what is happening in boxing as America’s birthday, July 4th will signal, one card, a Showtime bout from the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, headlined by Chris Colbert vs Tugstsogt Nyambayar at 130 lbs for Colbert’s WBA interim junior lightweight title. Tugstsogt Nyambayar is taking the fight on roughly fourteen days notice as Colbert’s original opponent, Yuriorkis Gamboa, got hurt in sparring, and now Nyambayar, a career featherweight moving up who challenged Gary Russell Jr for a world title, will now look to win his first world title. The bout is much better than the originally scheduled fight.
Undercard bouts – in a WBA lightweight eliminator, Michel Rivera will face Jon Fernandez, the winner will be the mandatory for one of the two world champions that the WBA has crowned at lightweight, which are Teofimo Lopez, and Gervonta Davis. Michel Rivera was our pick for a breakout star under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, and a win over a long, and lanky Fernandez, who is advised by former world champion Sergio Martinez, would put him in line for a big fight by the end of the year. This should be Rivera’s introduction to the boxing world.
Richardson Hitchins vs. Darwin Price will open the card. Hitchins, a 2016 Haitian Olympian, will face a top-rated amateur boxer in Darwin Price, who has one loss on his ledger to Malik Hawkins in a fight, Price was winning until he hurt his leg. This will be a trajectory or more commonly referenced as a crossroads fight for both fighters, as one fighter will ascend after this bout, and the other will have to start over again.
