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Two-Time Super Featherweight Champion Gervonta Davis
Defends Title Against Three-Division Champion Abner Mares
Feb. 9 At StubHub
Two-time super featherweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis
will defend his WBA title against three-division world
champion Abner Mares on Saturday, February 9 live on
SHOWTIME in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions
from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
Davis vs. Mares promises fireworks and high-stakes action as
both men bring their fan-friendly styles to the ring. Davis,
an unbeaten southpaw who earned his nickname "Tank'' by
powering through opponents, has thunder in both fists with
19 of his 20 fights ending in knockout. Mares, who has
engaged in many memorable fights throughout his storied
career, will be moving up in weight and looking to capture a
world title in a fourth weight class.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather
Promotions, TGB Promotions and Ringstar Sports, go on sale
Saturday, December 22 and can be purchased at AXS.com.
"This matchup is sure to make for a crowd pleaser, as both
guys are known for delivering action when they step into the
ring," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions.
"Mares has an impressive resume and is determined to hand
Davis his first loss. Davis has made a lot of noise in the
sport at a young age and isn't slowing down. He executes
impressively and continues to prove that he will be the next
big star in boxing."
"Abner Mares is looking to join a select group of boxers by
winning a title in his fourth different weight class and
carrying that kind of motivation into the ring is the thing
that can propel a boxer to greatness,'' said Tom Brown,
President of TGB Promotions. "We've already seen the kind of
speed and explosive punching power that Gervonta Davis
brings into the ring. I expect that Mares will push him to
even higher levels and that is the kind of match that should
excite all boxing fans.''
"The matchup between Gervonta Davis and Abner Mares features
pound for pound two of the most exciting boxers,'' said
Richard Schaefer of Ringstar Sports. "For Gervonta it is the
biggest test in his career and for Abner it is simply "Dare
to be Great". These two are the definition of modern day
gladiators who will put it all on the line on February 9.
The winners of this exciting matchup are us - the fight fans
and the general public who will be in for a treat!''
"This is an intriguing matchup for both men at crucial
points of their careers," said Stephen Espinoza, President,
SHOWTIME Sports. "Abner Mares has never backed down from a
challenge, quietly building one of the strongest resumes in
all of boxing while consistently delivering
fight-of-the-year performances. In his first fight in the
super featherweight division, Abner will be facing Gervonta
Davis, one of the strongest, most talented and most exciting
young champions in all of boxing. Abner seeks another
signature upset in a remarkable career, while Gervonta looks
to continue his streak of 11 straight stoppages against the
most experienced and accomplished opponent he has faced to
date. With these two come-forward, all-action fighters,
boxing fans can expect another thrilling Showtime
Championship Boxing main event."
Davis (20-0, 19 KOs) became the youngest reigning American
world champion in 2017 when he delivered a star-making
performance on SHOWTIME by knocking out Jose Pedraza for the
IBF 130-pound title at just 22 years old. He became the
youngest two-time world champion in April when he knocked
out Jesus Cuellar in the third round of their WBA Super
Featherweight Championship bout. The 24-year-old from
Baltimore, Md., has earned the reputation as a
power-punching menace as he has stopped all but one of his
professional opponents.
"I'm very excited to be showcased in my first main event in
the United States on February 9," said Davis. "I want to
make a statement in this fight by putting on a tremendous
performance against an experienced world champion like Abner
Mares. I plan on showing everyone why I belong in
pound-for-pound discussions and why I'm the most exciting
champion in boxing today. You don't want to miss it!"
The 33-year-old Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs) will be moving up to
130 pounds as he aims to become just the fourth fighter born
in Mexico to win titles in four divisions, joining Juan
Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and Jorge Arce. Mares, who was
born in Guadalajara, Jalisco and now lives in Montebello,
Calif., was a member of the Mexican Olympic boxing team in
the 2004 Athens Olympics before going on to win world titles
at bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight. His
two battles for the featherweight world title against Leo
Santa Cruz epitomized the kinds of high-volume clashes that
have set Mares apart from many of his contemporaries in the
same weight classes. He lost a unanimous decision to Santa
Cruz in his last fight in June and aims to tackle another
weight class on February 9.
"I wanted this fight and I want this challenge against
Gervonta Davis," said Mares. "I'm preparing well and I will
add my fifth world title in my fourth weight class on
February 9 on SHOWTIME."
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