Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz appear to have a deal.
The Athletic is reporting that Davis and Santa Cruz have reached an agreement in principle to fight at 130 pounds this fall. The bout is expected to be televised on Showtime Pay-Per-View.
BoxingScene.com had quoted Leonard Ellerbe of Mayweather Promotions earlier as saying that Davis’ next fight would be against Santa Cruz.
The fight had been projected for June at Staples Center in Los Angeles but it was pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Leo Santa Cruz will be Tank’s next fight, and we’re working through all the aspects of when that might be,” Ellerbe told BoxingScene,com. “We’re working through the details as we speak. We were headed in one direction, and then the pandemic came. We’re regrouping. I can assure you and the fans that both guys want the fight.
“Leo is very adamant to fight the biggest and baddest guy out there in Tank Davis. I respect that. It’s a great time for the 130 and 135 pound division. There are a number of excellent fights that can be made. Tank will show all of the critics why he’s one of the best fighters in the world.”
The weight is an interesting element in this matchup.
Davis (23-0, 22 KOs) initially failed to make the 135-pound limit in his most recent fight, a 12th-round TKO of Yuriorkis Gamboa in December. He made 130 against Ricardo Nunez five months earlier. Can he do it again?
Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) moved from 126 to 130 for his last fight, a unanimous decision victory that gave him a vacant title. Santa Cruz gave a so-so performance, raising questions about his ability to fight at an elite level at that weight.
Stephen Espinoza of Showtime told BoxingScene that the fight would take place when fans are allowed to return to arenas.
“We were very close [to finalizing a deal before the coronavirus took hold],” Espinoza said. “It’s an interesting one, because the fight will do a very good gate regardless of where it is. The fight could fit naturally in Los Angeles. If L.A. is not ready, certainly Vegas or Texas would make reasonable choices. I do think that will be one of the first few fights we have when we’re back in business.
“A lot of people were surprised at that match-up. Leo is absolutely adamant that he wants the fight. It’s the only fight he wants. He sees something in Davis that guarantees him success. Tank is a physical challenge for anyone, but Leo is undaunted and he’s persistent.”