Gervonta Davis vs Mario Barrios Saturday night features one of the most exciting talents in boxing today against a fellow unbeaten fighter who can also bang – what’s not to like – and we have expert picks, latest odds and a handy TV guide.
‘Tank’ steps up to 140lbs for this one and we’re excited to see what he brings to the table after moving up again in weight class.
Allegedly (it’s the WBA, people) it also gives Davis the chance to win another world title, though undisputed super-lightweight king Josh Taylor unsurprisingly tagged the whole thing as “Mickey Mouse” this week. That’s boxing.
Barrios has a huge height and reach advantage (check out the picture on this article if you don’t believe me) and has a long unbeaten record. In theory. he has the tools to at least trouble Davis. Theory though has a tendency to go out of the window the first time somebody gets hit in the mouth.
Will Davis carry that same destructive power we’ve seen before up to 140? Can Barrios handle that smoke? We’ll find out Saturday night, and here is all the boxing betting info you need ahead of time.
Davis vs Barrios – odds and expert picks
Gervonta is currently trading at best odds of -420 on the money line (FanDuel) with Barrios a +380 shot (William Hill). So no foregone conclusion.
As you’ll know by now if you read our picks weekly, we don’t like betting really short favorites, so we’ll look at the props for our predictions and pick.
‘Tank’ and his explosive punching power have put some really top operators to sleep already, and try as we might we just can’t see this one going the distance. Barrios is a puncher too – so not like Gervonta will need to go looking for him.
Take Davis to add another KO to his growing collection.
OddsCritic Pick: Gervonta Davis to win by KO, TKO or DQ at -160 (FanDuel)
What time does the fight start?
Davis vs Barrios goes down Saturday June 26, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Ring walks for the main event are expected around 2300 ET (2000 PT).
How can I watch the fight on TV?
‘Tank’ is pure box office, so it’s not surprising this is another pay-per-view show. Gervonta’s promoter – Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) – has a broadcast deal with Showtime so that’s where this one lands.
The cost of the PPV is a cool $74.99. Not cheap, but then ‘Tank’ does normally deliver when it comes to entertainment.
Gervonta Davis record
Gervonta Davis, now 26 years old, is one of THE box-office attractions in the sport of boxing today.
He has a record of 24-0 in the pro ranks with an astonishing 23 of those coming inside distance. The man has wrecking-ball power in both fists. Just look at the uppercut which detonated off the chin of Leo Santa Cruz to end their meeting on Halloween last year. A thing of terrifying beauty.
‘Tank’ has already won world titles at 130 and 135lbs and looks primed to go up a little further yet.
He stands on 5ft 5½ins tall (1.67m) and has a reach of 67½ ins (1.71m) but he packs incredible power into that squat frame. The man is must-see TV.
Mario Barrios record
One look at Barrios and his record and you can see exactly why we are excited about this one.
The man from San Antonio, Texas is also 26 years old and also undefeated – with a pro record of 26-0 (17 inside distance).
Like ‘Tank’, Barrios can bang, and he also has significant advantages when it comes to height and reach. He stands 5ft 10ins tall (1.78m) and has a reach of 71ins (1.80m).
Barrios’ resume may not have the big names that appear on that of Gervonta. But he is a fighter on the rise and will pose a definite threat Saturday night.
Davis vs Barrios – what the fighters said
Gervonta Davis: “Camp has been great. We always have great camps and we are ready for Barrios and whatever he plans to bring. I am ready and hopefully we have an action-packed fight.
“I think he is making a mistake. It’s not just the height. He thinks he’s stronger than me, so we are just going to have to wait and see.
“If he believes that I’ve never seen anyone like him, then so be it. But they always learn on fight night. That’s when the real me comes out. “I’ve been working each and every day in the gym to become a better fighter for Saturday night. I can’t wait to see the performance I put on.
“Moving up to 140 is definitely a great opportunity. I’m looking forward to it and I’m ready to give the fans what they want to see, which is a great fight.
“You know I’m coming. I’m excited to be in this position, I’m soaking it all in. Saturday night is going to be a great night of boxing. It’s going to be an exciting fight on my end and if I hurt him, we know that I am going to get him out of there. It’s going to be an explosive night for the sport of boxing.
“When I fight bigger guys in the gym, I always show up. I hate when people think that I’m small and try to take advantage of me. This is one of the fights where you will see the best of Gervonta Davis.
“It’s going to surprise him when I connect. It’s not only that I hit hard, but its where I place my punches and he will see that Saturday night. Once again, it’s going to be a great night, not just my fight but the whole card. I actually plan on coming to the arena early because I want to see the undercard. Saturday is going to be a great night for boxing.”
Mario Barrios: “I have all of the tools and I have the size to present a lot of difficulties to Tank, and that’s what I plan on doing. “Both of us throw with bad intentions. We’re in there to hurt and take out our opponent. May the best man win. whether it is round 1 round 12.
“Tank Davis is going to learn what it’s like to be in there with the type of fighter that I am. Buy your tickets and order the pay-per-view. I know he’s ready and we had a great camp in the Bay Area. We’re both coming with it on Saturday.
“We’re going to find out a lot about each of us on Saturday. I expect him to come with his best, and I’m coming with nothing less. It’s going to be bombs away.
“My coach is an Oakland OG and he has his way of talking in the gym and hyping everything. At the end of the day, I’m always responsible for everything I say. I’m always true to my word and come Saturday it’s going to be a very exciting fight.
“I’m just so focused on Saturday night and getting into the ring and using everything we worked on in training camp. Virgil has me prepared and we’ll be ready to make any adjustments we need. “Like Leonard Ellerbe said, they have big plans for him. I fully intend on f***ing up those plans come Saturday.”