Four-weight champion Leo Santa Cruz believes his experience and ability to adjust mid-fight will prove crucial against Baltimore’s hard-hitting Gervonta Davis at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, on October 24.
The twin-title clash, broadcast on Showtime Pay-Per-View in the US, is one of the most fascinating fights remaining on 2020’s Covid-19 interrupted schedule.
Controversially, the WBA’s ‘Super’ 130lbs and ‘Regular’ 135lbs titles are both on the line in what seems to be a move to accommodate the fluctuating weight of Davis (23-0, 22 KOs). Yet Mexican-American Santa Cruz believes he can defuse the vaunted power of ‘Tank’ with his smarter boxing.
“Tank is young, he has experience and great power and everything, but I have [more] experience and I’m older,” Santa Cruz told Fight Hype. “I can get him. I have to be smart and fight a brilliant fight and not get caught with those [big] shots, and I can beat him.”
An 11/4 betting underdog with BetFred, Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) has been sparring with welterweights in preparation for southpaw Davis’ additional strength and power.
“If one thing doesn’t work, we’re going to work with another. We’re going to adjust up there and, hopefully, we give a great fight for the fans [on television],” said Santa Cruz, 32, who will have height and reach advantages despite being the physically ‘smaller’ man.
“Fighting without fans [in the arena] is going to be a little bit different, but we’ve got to do it.”