World championship boxing comes to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York this Saturday night, with the talented Gervonta Davis defending his WBA ‘regular’ lightweight title in the main event against Rolando Romero, and both men are unbeaten.
SHOWTIME pay-per-view televise Davis vs Romero live in the USA, whilst a UK broadcaster is yet to be confirmed.
Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) is a fighter seemingly destined for big things, but he has recently cut a frustrated figure, confirming that he’ll be leaving Mayweather Promotions following his latest contest.
‘Tank’ has a near flawless record, and first cemented his potential in January 2017, when stopping Jose Pedraza in seven to win the IBF super featherweight title.
After a swift defence against Liam Walsh in London, Davis lost his belt on the scales ahead of an eighth round knockout of Francisco Fonseca, but he picked up the WBA ‘super’ belt a fight later, stopping Jesus Cuellar in three.
Two defences followed before a move to lightweight, where he took the vacant WBA strap in a dominant last round stoppage of Yuriorkis Gamboa, with the Cuban outclassed and down three times.
The Maryland native was in between weights, and in October 2020, he flattened Leo Santa Cruz in six at super featherweight, and eight months later came a move up to ten stone, where another world title was gained, this time the WBA ‘regular’ belt in an eleventh round stoppage of Mario Barrios.
Davis was taken the distance for the second time in his last bout, in December 2021, defending his lightweight gold in a competitive points win over late-replacement Isaac Cruz.
The 27-year-old’s latest defence at 135 pounds comes against Las Vegas’ Romero (14-0, 12 KOs), who is largely unexposed and served as the interim WBA champion for some time.
The 26-year-old, who has predicted a first round knockout win on Saturday, claimed the belt in August 2020 with a points success over Jackson Marinez, and then stopped Avery Sparrow.
He was last out in July last year, facing former European champion at super lightweight, Anthony Yigit. ‘Rolly’ turned in an impressive display, dropping the Swede three times in a seventh round stoppage victory.
A scheduled showdown with ‘Tank’ in December was scrapped after Romero faced a sexual assault allegation, which was closed in January without charges being filed against him.
Prediction: Davis is in search of more legacy-defining tests, so he must be on his mettle here against the hungry and undefeated Romero. I think ’Tank’ will have too much in every department, and can score a stoppage somewhere towards the championship rounds.
Lara battles O’Sullivan
More world title action comes at middleweight, where gifted Cuban, Erislandy Lara defends his WBA ‘regular’ title against Ireland’s Gary ’Spike’ O’Sullivan.
Lara (28-3-3, 16 KOs) is one for the purists due to his amateur style, and he reigned as world champion on multiple occasions at super welterweight.
Since losing his 154 pound belts in a split decision defeat to Jarrett Hurd in 2018, ‘The American Dream’ regained the WBA title, and added the IBO strap before a move to 160 pounds for his last fight.
The 39-year-old won the belt he defends this weekend in stunning fashion, taking just over a minute to knock out Thomas LaManna last May.
Cork-based O’Sullivan (31-4, 21 KOs) has come up short when stepping up in class, and has been halted by Chris Eubank Jr, David Lemieux and Jaime Munguia in differing fashions.
Prediction: Lara’s style is a horrible one for Spike to deal with, and the Cuban veteran should take victory inside schedule.
Ramos faces Santamaria
At super welterweight, unbeaten 21-year-old, Jesus Alejandro Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) should remain that way in his scheduled ten rounder with Luke Santamaria (13-2-1, 7 KOs).
Prediction: Santamaria does hold a win over a faded Devon Alexander, but Ramos can win on the scorecards.
Rising star @ramos_jesus9 getting some work in ahead of his matchup against Luke Santamaria 😤
Watch the workout LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/jp66sVt1V7#DavisRomero pic.twitter.com/8OtJeyLUzt
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) May 17, 2022
Remaining Undercard
Former interim WBA featherweight champion, Eduardo Ramirez (26-2-3, 12 KOs) is fresh off a decent win over Miguel Marriaga, and the Mexican is now campaigning at super featherweight, where he should be able to overcome Luis Melendez (17-1, 13 KOs) on the scorecards after ten rounds.
The final ten rounder comes at super welterweight, where Luis Arias (19-3-1, 9 KOs), who has only won once in his last five, should still have too much for Jimmy Williams (18-7-2, 6 KOs), in what should be an early nights’ work.
In six round action, Arnold Gonzalez (9-0, 5 KOs) can make it a perfect ten as a pro with a points win at welterweight against Tracey McGruder (6-2, 4 KOs), while at super welterweight, Adrian Benton (6-0, 4 KOs) can also remain unbeaten with a win on the cards against Jose Antonio Meza (8-6, 2 KOs), who has not been stopped in his six defeats.
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Baltimore super featherweight, Mia Ellis (4-0, 3 KOs) may need the distance to take the win over Jaica Pavilus (2-5-1, 1 KO).
Jalil Major Hackett (3-0, 2 KOs) can take the battle of the unbeatens against Jose Belloso (4-0, 4 KOs), but may also need the scorecards.
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The sole four rounder is at super bantamweight, and Cuttino Oliver (1-0, 1 KO) can make it two knockouts on the spin against Jahden Lewis (2-1, 1 KO).
