Davis knocks out Barrios and reclaims the title

Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis became champion in three different divisions on Saturday by knocking out Mario ‘Azteca’ Barrios in 11 rounds at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

Davis claimed the World Boxing Association Super Lightweight title after finishing Barrios with his fists, who survived two knockdowns midway through the fight, but eventually succumbed after a powerful soft-zone punch sent him to the canvas early in the eleventh round.

Barrios got back to his feet, but Davis came back to corner him with his punches to force the referee to intervene to stop the fight.

With this victory, Davis improved his record to an impressive 25-0 with 24 knockouts, adding a new belt to his collection that already includes the Super Featherweight belt by the WBA, and also the regular WBA Lightweight championship, since the ‘super’ is held by the American of Honduran blood Teofimo Lopez.

“I made it tough. I definitely could have made it easier on myself, but I moved up two weight divisions and did my job,” Davis stated at the end of the fight. “Just the adjustments I made moving up to 140. I mean, I hit him clean, that’s the type of fighter I am. I don’t want to hurt you with anything, I knew if I hit him, I was ready. I caught him, and it showed. My trainer was telling me to switch to a jab style, but I’m a southpaw and people know I’ll lean towards the jab side. So I tried to use it as bait. I would feign going left and I would throw my right. And my hook, that’s what got him.

“I knew he was hurt. It was a matter of catching him at the most propitious time. Floyd [Mayweather] came and told me I was disappointed, and I knew I was. Then he told me to show him that I’m spectacular. And that’s how we do it here! I can’t compare myself to the greats yet. You know this man [Floyd] set the bar. I just follow in your footsteps, and I thank you for leading me down the right path, Floyd, I appreciate you. I’m grateful to be in this position.”

Should he seek a unification at 140 pounds, the WBA Super Champion is Josh Taylor, considered one of the best in the world pound-for-pound.

Davis came in as a heavy favorite to defeat Barrios by a 4.5-to-1 mumblecore line.

For his part, Barrios not only lost his championship but also his undefeated record, standing at 26-1 with 17 knockouts.

“First of all, I want to thank everyone here in Atlanta. You guys didn’t disappoint. I already want to come back and fight here again,” said Barrios, “I’ve never been a grudge fighter. Congratulations to Tank. He came out here and did his thing in as exciting a fight as we both predicted. He was the best tonight, but I’ll definitely be back. Gervonta is explosive. He caught me slipping, and that’s boxing. One punch can change a fight and that’s exactly what happened tonight. Congratulations to him. Of course I wanted to continue. I had told everyone that I would show them that I am all Aztec warrior and I hope everyone enjoyed the fights tonight.”

For his part, Floyd Mayweather highlighted Davis’ great potential to become one of the best fighters in history.

“He has the potential to be one of the best of all time,” he said. “He was 14 or 15 years old when I first met him, and I told him I would make him a world champion. I told him he would be one of the best someday. I’m proud of him.”