Tag: Yuriorkis Gamboa

Gervonta Davis insists he’ll make 130 for Leo Santa Cruz fight

Gervonta Davis says he’ll make the 130-pound limit when he fights Leo Santa Cruz on Oct. 31.

Many people wonder what the scale will say on Halloween Eve. Treat or trick?

Gervonta Davis has had problems making weight in the past, most notably when he lost his junior lightweight title before his defense against Francisco Fonseca in 2017. And he needed two tries to make the lightweight limit for his title fight with Yuriorkis Gamboa last December, in which he won a 135-pound title.

Can he go back down to 130 for his two-division title fight against Leo Santa Cruz on Oct. 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio?

Santa Cruz is among those who has had his doubts.

“Our biggest concern has been making sure he makes weight,” Santa Cruz said on a Zoom call as Davis listened.

Davis insists there’s no reason to worry. He said he has left his discipline problems in his hometown of Baltimore after moving his boxing base to Las Vegas, where promoter and mentor Floyd Mayweather lives and operates.

Now, he says, it’s all boxing all the time. He said he has worked out every day for 12 weeks so far for his fight with Santa Cruz, the past eight in the boxing gym.

130? No problem. In fact, assuming he wins, he says he might fight again at that weight if makes sense from a business standpoint even though he’ll still hold a 135-pound belt.

“I’m having my camp here so I can stay focused on just boxing,” he said on the Zoom call. “I’m close to my Mayweather team and I have Floyd in the gym with me more. … This camp has been great for me. I’m already on weight.

“I’ve just been working hard. We’re not worrying about weight. We’re worrying about giving Leo Santa Cruz a great fight on October 1st.”

Davis, 25, used the word “professional” during the call. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said the fighter has come a long way in that department.

“Over the last year I’ve seen Tank mature a great deal,” Ellerbe said. “One of the biggest things is that he got out of his comfort zone by coming to Las Vegas. He used to train in Baltimore. I think he’s showing he’s ready for the next step.

“He’s completely focused, doing everything that’s asked of him. … He wants to give the best performance of his life. I’m confident that will happen.”

Santa Cruz says he’s sold. He expects the scale to read 130 or below when Davis steps onto it the day before the fight.

“I have no concerns,” he said. “I think he’s going make weight. He’s training really hard, he looks like he’s in good shape. Like I said, in his last fight he didn’t make weight. That was during Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s hard not to eat during those times. You see food and you want to eat it.

“For this fight, I think he’s going to come ready, I think he’s going to make weight.”

[lawrence-related id=14471,14318,12214]

Gervonta Davis insists he’ll make 130 for Leo Santa Cruz fight

Gervonta Davis says he’ll make the 130-pound limit when he fights Leo Santa Cruz on Oct. 31.

Many people wonder what the scale will say on Halloween Eve. Treat or trick?

Gervonta Davis has had problems making weight in the past, most notably when he lost his junior lightweight title before his defense against Francisco Fonseca in 2017. And he needed two tries to make the lightweight limit for his title fight with Yuriorkis Gamboa last December, in which he won a 135-pound title.

Can he go back down to 130 for his two-division title fight against Leo Santa Cruz on Oct. 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio?

Santa Cruz is among those who has had his doubts.

“Our biggest concern has been making sure he makes weight,” Santa Cruz said on a Zoom call as Davis listened.

Davis insists there’s no reason to worry. He said he has left his discipline problems in his hometown of Baltimore after moving his boxing base to Las Vegas, where promoter and mentor Floyd Mayweather lives and operates.

Now, he says, it’s all boxing all the time. He said he has worked out every day for 12 weeks so far for his fight with Santa Cruz, the past eight in the boxing gym.

130? No problem. In fact, assuming he wins, he says he might fight again at that weight if makes sense from a business standpoint even though he’ll still hold a 135-pound belt.

“I’m having my camp here so I can stay focused on just boxing,” he said on the Zoom call. “I’m close to my Mayweather team and I have Floyd in the gym with me more. … This camp has been great for me. I’m already on weight.

“I’ve just been working hard. We’re not worrying about weight. We’re worrying about giving Leo Santa Cruz a great fight on October 1st.”

Davis, 25, used the word “professional” during the call. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said the fighter has come a long way in that department.

“Over the last year I’ve seen Tank mature a great deal,” Ellerbe said. “One of the biggest things is that he got out of his comfort zone by coming to Las Vegas. He used to train in Baltimore. I think he’s showing he’s ready for the next step.

“He’s completely focused, doing everything that’s asked of him. … He wants to give the best performance of his life. I’m confident that will happen.”

Santa Cruz says he’s sold. He expects the scale to read 130 or below when Davis steps onto it the day before the fight.

“I have no concerns,” he said. “I think he’s going make weight. He’s training really hard, he looks like he’s in good shape. Like I said, in his last fight he didn’t make weight. That was during Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s hard not to eat during those times. You see food and you want to eat it.

“For this fight, I think he’s going to come ready, I think he’s going to make weight.”

[lawrence-related id=14471,14318,12214]

Leo Santa Cruz: Big risk, big reward vs. Gervonta Davis

Leo Santa Cruz believes he should be recognized as one of the top fighters in the world if he’s able to beat Gervonta Davis on Oct. 31.

Leo Santa Cruz is open about one of his concerns going into a pay-per-view showdown with Gervonta Davis on Oct. 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio: Davis’ punching power.

Santa Cruz is a four-division titleholder but has had only one fight above 126 pounds, his unanimous-decision victory over Miguel Flores last Nov. 23 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Davis has fought at 130 or above most of his career. He’s the bigger guy.

And, as we all know, Davis can crack. He has 22 knockouts in his 23 fights, all victories.

“We’ve been sparring with bigger guys,” Santa Cruz said on a Zoom call.  “They’re like 145, 147 pounds. I think that will prepare me able to take his punches. … I’m working on my neck, I’m eating a little better and feeling strong.

“I’m just going to go out there and hopefully I can take his punches.”

Someone on the call reminded Santa Cruz that he recently said Davis is particularly strong in the first four or five rounds and then his power diminishes. He was asked whether he stands by that assessment.

He does.

“Yeah, of course,” he said. “The first five rounds he’s dangerous. Every round, until the last round, he’s still dangerous but he’s most dangerous in one through six. That’s when he has the most power.

“… He can catch me at in any round but if he gasses out, I’ll be on top of him, pressuring him, trying to break him down, getting him tired.”

Davis, also on the call, had a quick response to Santa Cruz’s comments: “Most don’t last until the second part of the fight. They all go down in one to six.”

In fact, 18 of Davis’ 22 knockouts have come in the sixth round or earlier, although four of his last 10 opponents – his best opponents, in theory – survived into the seventh round or later. That includes Yuriorkis Gamboa, who was stopped in 12 when they fought for a vacant 135-pound title last December.

Of course, Santa Cruz’s theory will be tested on Oct. 31. Davis acknowledges that.

“I’ll have to prove it once I get in there,” Davis said.

The bottom line from Santa Cruz’s perspective: He’s taking a significant risk by tangling with Davis for titles at both 130 and 135 pounds, the quick-knockout issue aside.

Leo Santa Cruz (right) outpointed Miguel Flores to win a title in a fourth division in November. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions

The relentless volume puncher from the Los Angeles area was a dominating fighter at 126 and below, avenging his only loss by outpointing Carl Frampton in January 2017 and beating the likes of Eric Morel, Cristian Mijares, Abner Mares (twice) and Kiko Martinez.

But he looked so-so in his 130-pound debut against Flores even though he won a clear decision to claim a major title. That raised questions about his effectiveness at the higher weight.

And now, again, he’ll be face to face with a wrecking machine who holds a secondary 135-pound title. Santa Cruz’s decision to take the fight was courageous.

At the same time, he understands that the bigger the risk, the greater reward.

“I think I would deserve to be in the pound-for-pound Top 10 if I beat Tank Davis,” said Santa Cruz, who is No. 15 on Boxing Junkie’s list. “He’s a great fighter, one of the best out there. Nobody wants to fight him.

“I chose to fight him, I picked HIM. So if I beat him on Oct. 31, I deserve to be Top 10 pound-for-pound, one of the best.”

[lawrence-related id=14318,12214,8848]

Leo Santa Cruz: Big risk, big reward vs. Gervonta Davis

Leo Santa Cruz believes he should be recognized as one of the top fighters in the world if he’s able to beat Gervonta Davis on Oct. 31.

Leo Santa Cruz is open about one of his concerns going into a pay-per-view showdown with Gervonta Davis on Oct. 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio: Davis’ punching power.

Santa Cruz is a four-division titleholder but has had only one fight above 126 pounds, his unanimous-decision victory over Miguel Flores last Nov. 23 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Davis has fought at 130 or above most of his career. He’s the bigger guy.

And, as we all know, Davis can crack. He has 22 knockouts in his 23 fights, all victories.

“We’ve been sparring with bigger guys,” Santa Cruz said on a Zoom call.  “They’re like 145, 147 pounds. I think that will prepare me able to take his punches. … I’m working on my neck, I’m eating a little better and feeling strong.

“I’m just going to go out there and hopefully I can take his punches.”

Someone on the call reminded Santa Cruz that he recently said Davis is particularly strong in the first four or five rounds and then his power diminishes. He was asked whether he stands by that assessment.

He does.

“Yeah, of course,” he said. “The first five rounds he’s dangerous. Every round, until the last round, he’s still dangerous but he’s most dangerous in one through six. That’s when he has the most power.

“… He can catch me at in any round but if he gasses out, I’ll be on top of him, pressuring him, trying to break him down, getting him tired.”

Davis, also on the call, had a quick response to Santa Cruz’s comments: “Most don’t last until the second part of the fight. They all go down in one to six.”

In fact, 18 of Davis’ 22 knockouts have come in the sixth round or earlier, although four of his last 10 opponents – his best opponents, in theory – survived into the seventh round or later. That includes Yuriorkis Gamboa, who was stopped in 12 when they fought for a vacant 135-pound title last December.

Of course, Santa Cruz’s theory will be tested on Oct. 31. Davis acknowledges that.

“I’ll have to prove it once I get in there,” Davis said.

The bottom line from Santa Cruz’s perspective: He’s taking a significant risk by tangling with Davis for titles at both 130 and 135 pounds, the quick-knockout issue aside.

Leo Santa Cruz (right) outpointed Miguel Flores to win a title in a fourth division in November. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions

The relentless volume puncher from the Los Angeles area was a dominating fighter at 126 and below, avenging his only loss by outpointing Carl Frampton in January 2017 and beating the likes of Eric Morel, Cristian Mijares, Abner Mares (twice) and Kiko Martinez.

But he looked so-so in his 130-pound debut against Flores even though he won a clear decision to claim a major title. That raised questions about his effectiveness at the higher weight.

And now, again, he’ll be face to face with a wrecking machine who holds a secondary 135-pound title. Santa Cruz’s decision to take the fight was courageous.

At the same time, he understands that the bigger the risk, the greater reward.

“I think I would deserve to be in the pound-for-pound Top 10 if I beat Tank Davis,” said Santa Cruz, who is No. 15 on Boxing Junkie’s list. “He’s a great fighter, one of the best out there. Nobody wants to fight him.

“I chose to fight him, I picked HIM. So if I beat him on Oct. 31, I deserve to be Top 10 pound-for-pound, one of the best.”

[lawrence-related id=14318,12214,8848]

Haney vs. Gamboa, Jacobs vs. Rosado set for November

It’s official. Devin Haney will face Yuriorkis Gamboa in a 12-round lightweight bout on Nov. 7 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.

It’s official. Devin Haney will face Yuriorkis Gamboa in a 12-round lightweight bout on Nov. 7 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.

Organizers announced at the same time that Daniel Jacobs will fight Gabriel Rosado in a super middleweight bout on Nov. 27 at the same site. Both cards will be televised on DAZN.

Haney, who holds a secondary 135-pound belt, is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Alfredo Santiago last November. Haney (24-0, 15 KOs) injured his shoulder in that fight but had surgery and has fully recovered.

Gamboa (30-3, 18 KOs) is coming off a 12th-round knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in December. The 2004 Olympic champion and former featherweight titleholder is 38.

“Yuriokis Gamboa is a dangerous and experienced fighter,” Haney said. “He’s a former unified world champion, and he has been in the ring with some of the best. He hurt Terence Crawford with a big shot, so his power is not to be ignored.

“He beat Orlando Salido, who beat Vasiliy Lomachenko. Less than a year ago he took Gervonta Davis into the 12th round, something no one has ever been able to do. Gamboa is a true warrior and I’m not taking him lightly.

“I’ve called out all the top names, and I finally got someone who will challenge me for my title. I intend on making a statement in this fight. My hunger is on another level. It’s time to show the world who the best fighter in boxing is and that’s me.”

Said Gamboa, who claims he suffered an Achilles tendon injury in his loss to Davis: “I’m extremely thankful to God for allowing this fight to happen and for the miracle of healing my Achilles. I’ve been dreaming and wishing of fighting for the WBC green belt ever since I was an amateur in Cuba.

“I’m ready and determined to win this title for my fans and to prove those who wrote me off as a washed up fighter wrong. I came up short against Davis because of my Achilles in the second round, but I fought the rest of the fight on one foot, hurting him in the middle rounds.

“You are going to see a healthy Gamboa fight with both of my legs, fists and warrior heart of mine. With God’s blessings I will come out victorious Nov. 7.”

Jacobs (25-12-1, 14 KOs) last fought in December, when he stopped Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. after five rounds in Jacobs’ first fight as a full-fledged super middleweight.

Rosado (25-12-1, 14 KOs) is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Humberto Ochoa on the Jacobs-Chavez card. He has been calling out Jacobs.

“Gabe talked his way into this fight, and now it’s time to see if he can back it up,” said Jacobs, a former middleweight titleholder. “He’s got a big mouth, and he’s been bringing up my name constantly for over a year. But on Nov. 27 the talking stops, and I can’t wait to shut him up.

“My aim is to become a two-weight division world champion in 2021, and that starts with a big win in Florida. After that, I’m ready to step up and fight one of the world champions at 168 pounds.”

Said Rosado: “I’m really excited for the fight. There’s been a lot of back and forth between me and Jacobs, and for the fight to finally happen, I’m more than ready. I’ve started training camp with Freddie Roach in L.A. at Wild Card Boxing [Club], and I’m just looking to put on one hell of a show for the fans.

“I’m definitely going to bring the fight to Danny and it’s going to be great.”

Also on the Haney-Gamboa card, heavyweight Filip Krgovic (11-0, 9 KOs) will take on Rydell Booker (26-3, 13 KOs) and Zhilei Zhang (21-0, 18 KOs) faces Devin Vargas (22-6, 9 KOs) in another heavyweight matchup.

On the Jacobs-Rosado card, former amateur star Marc Castro will make his pro debut. His opponent hasn’t been announced.

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Haney vs. Gamboa, Jacobs vs. Rosado set for November

It’s official. Devin Haney will face Yuriorkis Gamboa in a 12-round lightweight bout on Nov. 7 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.

It’s official. Devin Haney will face Yuriorkis Gamboa in a 12-round lightweight bout on Nov. 7 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.

Organizers announced at the same time that Daniel Jacobs will fight Gabriel Rosado in a super middleweight bout on Nov. 27 at the same site. Both cards will be televised on DAZN.

Haney, who holds a secondary 135-pound belt, is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Alfredo Santiago last November. Haney (24-0, 15 KOs) injured his shoulder in that fight but had surgery and has fully recovered.

Gamboa (30-3, 18 KOs) is coming off a 12th-round knockout loss to Gervonta Davis in December. The 2004 Olympic champion and former featherweight titleholder is 38.

“Yuriokis Gamboa is a dangerous and experienced fighter,” Haney said. “He’s a former unified world champion, and he has been in the ring with some of the best. He hurt Terence Crawford with a big shot, so his power is not to be ignored.

“He beat Orlando Salido, who beat Vasiliy Lomachenko. Less than a year ago he took Gervonta Davis into the 12th round, something no one has ever been able to do. Gamboa is a true warrior and I’m not taking him lightly.

“I’ve called out all the top names, and I finally got someone who will challenge me for my title. I intend on making a statement in this fight. My hunger is on another level. It’s time to show the world who the best fighter in boxing is and that’s me.”

Said Gamboa, who claims he suffered an Achilles tendon injury in his loss to Davis: “I’m extremely thankful to God for allowing this fight to happen and for the miracle of healing my Achilles. I’ve been dreaming and wishing of fighting for the WBC green belt ever since I was an amateur in Cuba.

“I’m ready and determined to win this title for my fans and to prove those who wrote me off as a washed up fighter wrong. I came up short against Davis because of my Achilles in the second round, but I fought the rest of the fight on one foot, hurting him in the middle rounds.

“You are going to see a healthy Gamboa fight with both of my legs, fists and warrior heart of mine. With God’s blessings I will come out victorious Nov. 7.”

Jacobs (25-12-1, 14 KOs) last fought in December, when he stopped Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. after five rounds in Jacobs’ first fight as a full-fledged super middleweight.

Rosado (25-12-1, 14 KOs) is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Humberto Ochoa on the Jacobs-Chavez card. He has been calling out Jacobs.

“Gabe talked his way into this fight, and now it’s time to see if he can back it up,” said Jacobs, a former middleweight titleholder. “He’s got a big mouth, and he’s been bringing up my name constantly for over a year. But on Nov. 27 the talking stops, and I can’t wait to shut him up.

“My aim is to become a two-weight division world champion in 2021, and that starts with a big win in Florida. After that, I’m ready to step up and fight one of the world champions at 168 pounds.”

Said Rosado: “I’m really excited for the fight. There’s been a lot of back and forth between me and Jacobs, and for the fight to finally happen, I’m more than ready. I’ve started training camp with Freddie Roach in L.A. at Wild Card Boxing [Club], and I’m just looking to put on one hell of a show for the fans.

“I’m definitely going to bring the fight to Danny and it’s going to be great.”

Also on the Haney-Gamboa card, heavyweight Filip Krgovic (11-0, 9 KOs) will take on Rydell Booker (26-3, 13 KOs) and Zhilei Zhang (21-0, 18 KOs) faces Devin Vargas (22-6, 9 KOs) in another heavyweight matchup.

On the Jacobs-Rosado card, former amateur star Marc Castro will make his pro debut. His opponent hasn’t been announced.

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Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz moved to Oct. 31 at Alamodome

The pay-per-view fight between Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz has been moved from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31 and will take place in San Antonio.

New date, new location.

The pay-per-view fight between Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz has been moved from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31 and from Uncasville, Conn., to the Alamodome in San Antonio, according to multiple reports.

The move was made because Texas is allowing a limited number of spectators – up to 25% — to attend sporting events amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The date was pushed back because a college football game will take place at Alamodome on Oct. 24. Organizers will also have an extra week to market the event and sell tickets.

The move will allow San Antonio product Marios Barrios (25-0, 16 KOs) to fight at home. He is scheduled to face Ryan Karl (18-2, 12 KOs) on the card.

Davis and Santa Cruz are scheduled to fight for Davis’ secondary lightweight title – what the WBA calls its “regular” title — and Santa Cruz’s junior lightweight belt. Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize Davis’ title.

Davis (23-0, 22KOs) is coming off a 12th-round knockout of Yuriorkis Gamboa in December. Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) last fought in November, when he defeated Miguel Flores by a unanimous decision to win his 130-pound title.

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Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz moved to Oct. 31 at Alamodome

The pay-per-view fight between Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz has been moved from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31 and will take place in San Antonio.

New date, new location.

The pay-per-view fight between Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz has been moved from Oct. 24 to Oct. 31 and from Uncasville, Conn., to the Alamodome in San Antonio, according to multiple reports.

The move was made because Texas is allowing a limited number of spectators – up to 25% — to attend sporting events amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The date was pushed back because a college football game will take place at Alamodome on Oct. 24. Organizers will also have an extra week to market the event and sell tickets.

The move will allow San Antonio product Marios Barrios (25-0, 16 KOs) to fight at home. He is scheduled to face Ryan Karl (18-2, 12 KOs) on the card.

Davis and Santa Cruz are scheduled to fight for Davis’ secondary lightweight title – what the WBA calls its “regular” title — and Santa Cruz’s junior lightweight belt. Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize Davis’ title.

Davis (23-0, 22KOs) is coming off a 12th-round knockout of Yuriorkis Gamboa in December. Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) last fought in November, when he defeated Miguel Flores by a unanimous decision to win his 130-pound title.

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Devin Haney vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa finally set for Nov. 7: report

Devin Haney will face Yuriorkis Gamboa in a 12-round lightweight bout on Nov. 7, BoxingScene is reporting.

Devin Haney will face Yuriorkis Gamboa in a 12-round lightweight bout on Nov. 7, BoxingScene is reporting. The site will be included in the announcement, which the website indicated is imminent.

Haney (24-0, 15 KOs) hasn’t fought since he defeated Alfredo Santiago by a shutout decision last November in Los Angeles. The 21-year-old reportedly suffered a dislocated shoulder in that fight, which required surgery the following month.

Haney holds a secondary WBC belt. Vasiliy Lomachenko is the sanctioning body’s actual 135-pound titleholder.

Gamboa (30-3, 18 KOs) won a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics for his native Cuba and had a reign as featherweight titleholder a decade ago.

However, he’s now 38 and coming off a 12th-round knockout loss against Gervonta Davis in December. Gamboa went down three times and was losing badly in that fight.

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Devin Haney vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa finally set for Nov. 7: report

Devin Haney will face Yuriorkis Gamboa in a 12-round lightweight bout on Nov. 7, BoxingScene is reporting.

Devin Haney will face Yuriorkis Gamboa in a 12-round lightweight bout on Nov. 7, BoxingScene is reporting. The site will be included in the announcement, which the website indicated is imminent.

Haney (24-0, 15 KOs) hasn’t fought since he defeated Alfredo Santiago by a shutout decision last November in Los Angeles. The 21-year-old reportedly suffered a dislocated shoulder in that fight, which required surgery the following month.

Haney holds a secondary WBC belt. Vasiliy Lomachenko is the sanctioning body’s actual 135-pound titleholder.

Gamboa (30-3, 18 KOs) won a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics for his native Cuba and had a reign as featherweight titleholder a decade ago.

However, he’s now 38 and coming off a 12th-round knockout loss against Gervonta Davis in December. Gamboa went down three times and was losing badly in that fight.

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