Next weekend, two former Gervonta Davis opponents meet in San Antonio, while another pair could face each other next year.
Isaac Cruz puts his WBC interim super-lightweight title on the line against Lamont Roach on December 6, and although unconfirmed, Ryan Garcia has recently declared he will challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios in February.
Of the quartet, only Roach came closest to upsetting ‘Tank’, pushing Davis hard when they met earlier this year.
Looking ahead to a possible Barrios–Garcia showdown, Mill City Boxing spoke to Davis’ coach Kenny Ellis for his prediction.
“I think Barrios. I think if Ryan should win it’ll be in the first three or four rounds by knockout. But if they start going into four, five and six –– the deeper you get into the fight –– the more I lean towards Barrios.”
Garcia’s last knockout win came three fights ago, when he stopped Oscar Duarte in the eighth round in Houston. The Californian also dropped Devin Haney during their fiery encounter last year — a fight Garcia initially won before being found guilty of a doping violation that overturned the result to a No Contest.
Ellis also believes that the champion has the heavy hands to cause his opponents problems.
“I think Ryan gives anybody hell in the first two or three rounds. He’s going to try something before he just gives up. Barrios has power too, to stop you, and I think Barrios has been in there with better competition.”
Barrios has boxed the likes of Keith Thurman, Yordenis Ugas and Gervonta Davis, as well as having shared the ring last time out against the legendary Manny Pacquiao.
