Gervonta “Tank” Davis is a star, and after what he did on Saturday night, that stardom will only grow. Davis scored an 11th round TKO over the previously undefeated Mario Barrios to capture the WBA(Regular) Super Lightweight Championship at State Farm Arena in Atlanta(Showtime PPV).
Davis(25-0, 24 KOs) and Barrios(26-1, 17 KOs) combined to put on an unforgettable main event in front of a sold-out crowd of 16,570. After a slow start, “Tank” sent Barrios to the canvas for both the first and second times of his career in the eighth round. First, Davis connected on a sweeping right hook that sent the former champion to the canvas. Moments later, a straight left hand by Davis dropped Barrios again. The brave Barrios rose to his feet, surviving Davis’ attempts to finish him.
With his promoter Floyd Mayweather encouraging Davis in his corner and telling him that he was down on the scorecards, the Baltimore native came out rejuvenated in the eleventh round, realizing that the fight could be close on the scorecards. “Tank” dropped Barrios for the third time in the fight, this time with a left uppercut to the body. The bloodied Barrios rose again, only to be greeted with another barrage of punches from Davis.
Referee Thomas Taylor stepped in to stop the fight at 2:13 of the eleventh round.
“Floyd [Mayweather] came to me and was honest and said I was down,” Davis said, who was actually ahead on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage. “So he said, ‘show me that you’re great.’ And you know how we do it in the doghouse, baby!””
According to Mayweather, Davis can be one of the greatest of all-time.
“He has the potential to be one of the greatest ever,” said Mayweather. “When I first met ‘Tank’ when he was 14 or 15 years old, I told him I’d make him a world champion. And that you’ll be one of the best someday. I’m proud of him.”
Davis has options from 130 to 140. Many great fights to be made for Davis, but the business of boxing might get in the way. More than likely, he’ll probably fight someone on the PBC side. Maybe a fight with WBA 130-pound interim champion Chris Colbert, or perhaps a fight with Mikey Garcia at 140. It should be interesting to see how they move Davis at this point, but it’s beyond clear that he is one of the biggest names in the sport of boxing.
