Two-time super featherweight champion Davis defends WBA title against three-division titleholder Mares on the card that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, California.
WBA super featherweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis and three-division titleholder Abner Mares face off at a press conference on December 27, 2018 at the Conga Room at L.A. Live. (Scott Hirano/SHOWTIME)
LOS ANGELES — Two-time super featherweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis and three-division world champion Abner Mares went face-to-face for the first time today at a press conference at the Conga Room at L.A. Live where they talked about their February 9 PBC on Showtime main event that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
Davis defends his WBA 130-pound title against Mares in an event promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions and Ringstar Sports. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at AXS.com.
"This is a fascinating matchup taking place at the perfect venue. This is a great fight to get 2019 going,” said Richard Schaefer, Chariman and CEO of Ringstar Sports.
“It's youth, strength and size against experience, will and desire. May the best man win.”
The 24-year-old Davis (20-0, 19 KOs) of Baltimore—who became a two-time titleholder when he stopped Jesus Cuellar in April—said he believes this fight is the perfect start of a statement-making title reign.
"In 2019, I want to make a big statement not only in the ring but by letting the boxing world know that I'm the next star,” Davis said. “I'm aiming to headline a pay-per-view by 2020 if everything goes right. I have great fights lined up for next year, without looking past Abner.”
But Davis insists he isn’t looking past Mares, especially with the fight being in the Mexican-American’s backyard—something Davis says he patterned off his mentor Floyd Mayweather, who fought Arturo Gatti in Atlantic City in 2005.
"I wanted to fight Abner Mares out here in Southern California. Floyd Mayweather fought Arturo Gatti in his hometown and that's basically what I'm doing here,” Davis said.
“I believe that Abner Mares is a future Hall of Famer because he's fought so many top-level guys. I don't know what Abner sees, but he was sure he wanted to take this fight so obviously he sees something. I have power, speed, movement and really a blend of everything. I believe that I'm a better fighter than him.”
Mares, who called out Davis several times on social media as the fight was being negotiated, disagrees.
“One day I just thought to myself that this fight against Gervonta Davis would be a great matchup and that I can win it,” said the 33-year-old Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs), who is coming off a decision loss to Leo Santa Cruz in their featherweight title rematch in June.
“There are other big fights at featherweight that I could have gotten. I'm taking this fight because of the challenge that it brings. I'm a winner every time I fight. I come to prove people wrong and perform. Not too many people do that these days.”
Mares’ decorated trainer Robert Garcia says that while Davis presents a stiff test, the challenge is nothing he nor Mares hasn’t seen before.
"We know that this is a tough challenge. I think of this like the Adrien Broner vs. Marcos Maidana fight,” Garcia said. “Just like Davis, they said Broner is flashy, dangerous and this and that. But you all know what happened. Same thing is going to happen this time around."
Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe says the fans are the real winners with this bout, as the title tilt promises plenty of action.
"This is a fight the fans wanted. These two guys have gone back and forth on social media and I'm excited that they're going to finally get in the ring on February 9,” Ellerbe said. “Davis vs. Mares is a thrilling matchup between two very skilled warriors. You can't expect anything but great fireworks from this fight.”
For a closer look at Davis vs Mares, check out our fight page.
