Liam Walsh: ‘There are still a lot of questions to be asked of Gervonta Davis’

Liam Walsh

Can you tell us what you think of Gervonta Davis?

โ€œHe certainly has potential and star quality โ€“ that was clear to see when he beat [Jose] Pedraza. But he has to come through me first.ย  I donโ€™t see any other way than me winning.ย  If heโ€™s going to be a star in the future, itโ€™s going to have to be with a loss after fighting me.โ€

Are there advantages to fighting at home?

โ€œI thank Frank Warren for that and giving me that advantage.ย  I think it all depends on his mental capacity.ย  Heโ€™s coming to a foreign country.ย  Provided that he adapts to the environment and change of scenery, then weโ€™ll find out that night.โ€

You were Pedrazaโ€™s mandatory so were you surprised that Gervonta won that fight and in that dominant a fashion?

โ€œI was to be honest with you.ย  My prediction was Pedraza to win on points.ย  I thought Pedraza had all the attributes and tools to get the job done.ย  But then on the night watching the fight, I was surprised by the way Pedraza went about his work.ย  I thought Gervonta looked brilliant and mature beyond his years.ย  I think he put on a really good show but I thought Pedraza could have gone about it a little bit better.โ€

What are your advantages in the fight against Gervonta Davis?

โ€œFirst and foremost, I donโ€™t think heโ€™s completely overrated, but I think there are still a lot of questions to be asked of him.ย  He looked very good and brilliant against Pedraza.ย  The only other reputable fighter on his record is Cristobal Cruz.ย  There are a lot of question marks lingering on.

โ€œI feel like Iโ€™ve been in tougher fights than him.ย  I feel like Iโ€™ve been in longer fights.ย  I think I have a better boxing IQ than him.ย  Heโ€™s very powerful, very physical and very fast, but we havenโ€™t seen him in a long fight or a dog fight or a grueling fight though.ย  I will certainly ask all these questions.ย  Iโ€™ll do it any which way that it has to go.ย  Iโ€™m more than confident Iโ€™ll get the job done.โ€

Is it key to take the fight into later rounds?

โ€œI think possibly, yeah.ย  I think that could be one angle to look at it.ย  Weโ€™re not going to really know until the first bell rings.ย  We all have game plans, but good fighters have to adapt. Thereโ€™s going to be ebbs and flows in this fight, but I think the better fighter will prevail and I think thatโ€™s me.โ€

Boxing is hot in UK, how much of a benefit do you think will that be for you?

โ€œI think itโ€™s definitely beneficial to be fighting at home.ย  I donโ€™t live far from London so I wonโ€™t have to leave my house until a couple of days before the fight and obviously my sons will be there in support for me.ย  Itโ€™s definitely beneficial.ย  I want us both to get a fair crack and Iโ€™m sure it will be.ย  When youโ€™re the home fighter, you feel more obliged to dig a little bit deeper for your home fans who are cheering for you. So thatโ€™s what Iโ€™ll do.โ€

What is your prediction for the fight?

โ€œLike 21 previous times, Iโ€™ll always predict Iโ€™ll win.ย  So thatโ€™s what Iโ€™ll predict again.ย  One thing is factually certain, Iโ€™ll give my absolute all.ย  My prediction is Iโ€™ll come away with victory and the belt, whichever which way I have to.ย  Iโ€™ll find a way to come away with that belt.โ€

Over here in the U.S., the sentiment is that Gervonta is the favorite in the fight. Do you think youโ€™re the favorite because of the experience that you bring to the ring?

โ€œI donโ€™t think Iโ€™m the favorite but Iโ€™m not a 3-1 underdog.ย  When I was told that, I thought I must be fighting three people.ย  Iโ€™ve never been a 3-1 underdog.ย  Iโ€™m a big underdog apparently, but certainly not in my eyes.ย  In my eyes it wonโ€™t be a massive shock if I win this title.ย  The U.S. fans think it will be a walk-over, but that couldnโ€™t be more further from the truth.ย  I can understand him being the favorite with all the hype and Mayweather behind him, but Iโ€™m baffled by being that much of an underdog.ย  But weโ€™ll find out.โ€

Is there extra motivation in being the underdog?

โ€œYes, itโ€™s extra motivation.ย  My friends are betting on me and when I win, theyโ€™ll have a great night.ย  This is the first time Iโ€™ve been the underdog in my pro career, and Iโ€™m really enjoying being the underdog.ย  Iโ€™m really thriving on it.โ€

Remaining tickets for Davis v Walsh are availableย from eventim.co.uk or watch live on BT Sport 1 & BoxNationย 

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