Could the winner of Gervonta Davis versus Mario Barrios be elevated to WBA super champ?
When Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor (18-0, 13 KO’s) became the undisputed super lightweight champion, he made history. Yet, if he chooses to make good on his word and move to welterweight, he will make a vacuum. With all his belts vacated, there would be a mad dash to scoop them up. Bearing this in mind, it is hard not to think about the upcoming Gervonta “Tank” Davis (24-0, 23 KO’s) versus Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (26-0, 17 KO’s) bout.
Tank already holds the Regular WBA Lightweight title while Barrios owns the Regular WBA Super Lightweight title. When they go head-to-head on June 26, Barrios’ strap will be on the line. Yet, many clever minds are already pondering what would happen if Taylor does in fact move up.
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The Tartan Tornado has publicly issued his challenge to WBO World Welterweight champion Terence “Bud” Crawford. The Irishman wasted no time in letting the Nebraskan know he was at the top of his 147-pound hit list. Sadly, as it seems to be his nature, since Taylor’s victory, Crawford has been quiet as a cat paws on carpet. Although, Bud’s willful episode of going mute will not stop rampant speculation!
Speaking of Crawford, his WBA Super Lightweight title was elevated to ‘super’ status shortly following his victory over Julius Indongo in 2017. In 2019, the WBA elevated 122-pound champion Danny Roman to super champion status. Ahead of his 2019 title defense against Lenin Castillo, the WBA elevated Dmitry Bivol to super champion. Then in 2020, shortly after he defeated Khalid Yafai, the WBA elevated Roman Gonzalez to super champion status.
This is but a brief catalogue of examples. Still, it is certainly not hard to come to the conclusion that the WBA is friendly with elevating! Given the immense popularity of Tank Davis and the amount of exposure his bout with Barrios is likely to get, it is not a stretch. What sanctioning body does not want their hardware in a huge marquee bout? At this point, it is all still speculation, but given their history, there is a very good chance that the Barrios vs Davis winner will be a super champ very soon!
By: Bakari Simpson
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