Comments Thread For: Gervonta Davis, The Favored 'A' Side, Is In A No-Win Situation Against Mario Barrios

[BoxingIsGreat]

Barrios is a big kid, tough and he's got a good engine, much to like about him, but stylistically he's pretty basic. I'd say Kudos to Tank for stepping up 2 divisions (or one depending how you see it) and fighting a kinda semi-legit dude... it ain't Tank's fault they gave the nod to Mario over Akhmedov or that Mario never gave Batyr his rematch. Solid enough fight and a decisive win - especially by KO - would certainly show Gervonta's a threat to anyone in the division.

The article suggests his intent is to move back down to 135 however which is probably the smarter move cos I think Tank might be a little undersized at 140, only problem he'll have of course is that most of the talent at 135 ain't on his side of the street. I guess it's a dilemma faced by a number of top fighters.

Incidentally looking forward to seeing Batyr back in action tomorrow too although I'd expect him to outclass Mendis at this stage in the Dominican's career.

I never really paid attention to that Russian guy, Akhmedov, in his Barrios fight. I'll make sure to pay attention tomorrow. He seems like a cool dude. I saw him socializing in the group videos where they had all the fighters on stage.

[Clegg]

PBC-owned site gets pro-PBC writer to do pro-PBC article, pro-PBC shills then come and praise it.

What I find hilarious is that the article is giving Tank so much credit for who he fights, even using the phrase "masterful matchmaking". Yet he also works so hard to say that we should feel sorry for Tank because boxing fans aren't falling for these cherry pick fights.

"Poor Tank, no matter who he cherry picks, people still call it a cherry pick, haterz!!"

[BoxingIsGreat]

PBC-owned site gets pro-PBC writer to do pro-PBC article, pro-PBC shills then come and praise it.

What I find hilarious is that the article is giving Tank so much credit for who he fights, even using the phrase "masterful matchmaking". Yet he also works so hard to say that we should feel sorry for Tank because boxing fans aren't falling for these cherry pick fights.

"Poor Tank, no matter who he cherry picks, people still call it a cherry pick, haterz!!"

No, man, you are better than this. Chill out.
Your rant is inconsistent with what is being said.

What do YOU think about the fight?

[Scopedog]

Yeah, there is a lot to lose for Davis, it would be a monster scalp for Barrios to take and an L in this fight is potentially career-derailing for Davis. However I don't think there's nothing to be gained here. Barrios, even if he is unheralded, has a good-looking record and he's a lot bigger than Davis, just look at the two side by side. If Davis can beat him impressively it'll look good for him. Even if boxing aficionados will brush it off as a mismatch in terms of skill levels, casual fans will be less likely to pay that any heed. As to the likelihood of that, well, I don't know, but I doubt that Davis' team picked Barrios randomly.

[BoxingIsGreat]

Yeah, there is a lot to lose for Davis, it would be a monster scalp for Barrios to take and an L in this fight is potentially career-derailing for Davis. However I don't think there's nothing to be gained here. Barrios, even if he is unheralded, has a good-looking record and he's a lot bigger than Davis, just look at the two side by side. If Davis can beat him impressively it'll look good for him. Even if boxing aficionados will brush it off as a mismatch in terms of skill levels, casual fans will be less likely to pay that any heed. As to the likelihood of that, well, I don't know, but I doubt that Davis' team picked Barrios randomly.

Davis picked Barrios, not his team. He has some quick business at 140. If not, he'll concentrate on 135.

[Citizen Koba]

His base will be 135. Barrios fight for two reasons: solidify the weight as a 135 pounder, good to take on bigger guys, be a strong 135, and honestly, to beat your boy's ass (Taylor).

Taylor ain't my boy, man, like you I think he's a bit of an asshat, however I do have a great deal of respect for the dude's achievements. That's where we differ I think. If I had to pick my favourite guy at 140 it'd be Regis (I got respect for Ramirez as a good man, but as a boxer Regis has far greater talent)

But I do think it's a decent - smart - move by Tank or whoever's guiding him (whether it's Haymon or Ellerbee). There really weren't many options right now at 135 and most of the action is either with TR or DAZN, it keeps him active and a title (even a secondary one) can help to sell future fights... plus like you say it plants a flag at 140 for any future moves in that division.

That said if Tank looks good here, and I expect him to, Taylor vs Davis does become a mouthwatering prospect, not that I'd expect Arum or necessarily Haymon to particularly want it. Those promotional divisions are really ****ing us all, including the fighters themselves.

[MikeyG]

Can be good fight.
Interested what will be Tanks next fight if he wins this. There are too many great fights around this weight not to make them.

[Liondw]

This isn't a world title fight though, because the Wba belt is owned by Taylor, so I don't know what nonsense they do with a "regular" belt.

No dissing the fighters though, they are warriors. Just criticising the sanctioning bodies.

[CornerCutman]

I was just thinking a few days ago (reminiscing really) if BoxingScene had good enough (neutral) writers to write an article on Davis, and this fight. Cliff Rold and Keith Idec deliver. Good job, guys.

Agree with you, not an easy fight. I think the author is right, it's lose/lose for Tank. Except for one thing and that's if he wins then he did, in fact, move up two weight classes and get his hand raised. I'm not a big Davis fan at all but he has undeniable talent and potential. Kudos to him for taking (and asking for, apparently) a lose-lose fight. We always hear talk about wanting fighters to take chances or challenge themselves, we should recognize and appreciate when someone does. Sure, is he going for Taylor? No, it's not that kind of challenge where he jumps up for the top dog in the division. But fighting a guy that much bigger than you presents challenges, anyone who has ever fought or sparred a guy that much bigger knows it. Credit where credit is due. I think Tank KO10 and it won't be good enough for plenty but it'll definitely impress me at least a little bit.

[Oldskoolg]

It’s very possible that fans who say that probably have never seen Barrios fight. Or maybe they’re just saying he sucks, knowing he stands a chance on pulling off the upset, just to say Tank is trash if it’s a competitive fight or a loss for Davis. I noticed over the last 15 years posting here, that many fans don’t even know what a bad or cherrypicked opponent really is.

Sh/t to be honest i’m starting to lean more to the “Tank is biting off more than he could chew” side.

They are writing off barrios because they don’t know him and have never seen him fight. And the people who constantly get negative about tank are just the same people who will attack each and every star boxer with PBC. It’s probably worse for tank because he’s associated with Mayweather promotions as well.