Can you tell us what you think of Gervonta Davis?
โHe 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 donโt see any other way than me winning.ย If heโs going to be a star in the future, itโs going to have to be with a loss after fighting me.โ
Are there advantages to fighting at home?
โI thank Frank Warren for that and giving me that advantage.ย I think it all depends on his mental capacity.ย Heโs coming to a foreign country.ย Provided that he adapts to the environment and change of scenery, then weโll find out that night.โ
You were Pedrazaโs mandatory so were you surprised that Gervonta won that fight and in that dominant a fashion?
โI 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?
โFirst and foremost, I donโt think heโs 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.
โI feel like Iโve been in tougher fights than him.ย I feel like Iโve been in longer fights.ย I think I have a better boxing IQ than him.ย Heโs very powerful, very physical and very fast, but we havenโt seen him in a long fight or a dog fight or a grueling fight though.ย I will certainly ask all these questions.ย Iโll do it any which way that it has to go.ย Iโm more than confident Iโll get the job done.โ
Is it key to take the fight into later rounds?
โI think possibly, yeah.ย I think that could be one angle to look at it.ย Weโre not going to really know until the first bell rings.ย We all have game plans, but good fighters have to adapt. Thereโs going to be ebbs and flows in this fight, but I think the better fighter will prevail and I think thatโs me.โ
Boxing is hot in UK, how much of a benefit do you think will that be for you?
โI think itโs definitely beneficial to be fighting at home.ย I donโt live far from London so I wonโt 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 Itโs definitely beneficial.ย I want us both to get a fair crack and Iโm sure it will be.ย When youโre the home fighter, you feel more obliged to dig a little bit deeper for your home fans who are cheering for you. So thatโs what Iโll do.โ
What is your prediction for the fight?
โLike 21 previous times, Iโll always predict Iโll win.ย So thatโs what Iโll predict again.ย One thing is factually certain, Iโll give my absolute all.ย My prediction is Iโll come away with victory and the belt, whichever which way I have to.ย Iโll 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 youโre the favorite because of the experience that you bring to the ring?
โI donโt think Iโm the favorite but Iโm not a 3-1 underdog.ย When I was told that, I thought I must be fighting three people.ย Iโve never been a 3-1 underdog.ย Iโm a big underdog apparently, but certainly not in my eyes.ย In my eyes it wonโt be a massive shock if I win this title.ย The U.S. fans think it will be a walk-over, but that couldnโt be more further from the truth.ย I can understand him being the favorite with all the hype and Mayweather behind him, but Iโm baffled by being that much of an underdog.ย But weโll find out.โ
Is there extra motivation in being the underdog?
โYes, itโs extra motivation.ย My friends are betting on me and when I win, theyโll have a great night.ย This is the first time Iโve been the underdog in my pro career, and Iโm really enjoying being the underdog.ย Iโm 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