Gervonta Davis insists he will not be bullied or beaten by the bigger man when he faces WBA Regular 140lbs belt holder Mario Barrios at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta this Saturday.
Having weighed just 129 3/4lbs for his brutal sixth-round KO of Leo Santa Cruz last October, the dynamic but diminutive Davis is essentially jumping two weight divisions to take on the rangy Texan title holder, who holds a 4 ½ inch advantage in height and 3 ½ inch differential in reach.
Baltimore banger Davis (24-0, 23 KOs) is used to bigger fighters thinking they can take liberties with him in the gym before his heavy hands prove otherwise.
“I think [Barrios] is making a mistake,” said Davis. “It’s not just the height. He thinks he’s stronger than me, so we are just going to have to wait and see. If he believes that I’ve never seen anyone like him, then so be it. But they always learn on fight night. That’s when the real me comes out.
“You know I’m coming. I’m excited to be in this position, I’m soaking it all in. Saturday night is going to be a great night of boxing. It’s going to be an exciting fight on my end and, if I hurt him, we know that I am going to get him out of there. It’s going to be an explosive night for the sport of boxing.
“When I fight bigger guys in the gym, I always show up. I hate when people think that I’m small and try to take advantage of me. This is one of the fights where you will see the best of Gervonta Davis.
“It’s going to surprise him when I connect. It’s not only that I hit hard, but its where I place my punches and he will see that Saturday night.”
Main image: Amanda Westcott/Showtime.