Russell Jr Calls Out Tank Davis
For his professional debut fighting in Atlanta, GA WBA ‘regular’ world lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (23-0, 22 KO’s) put on a dominant performance. Not only did Davis secure the win, he stopped his aging foe, Yuriorkis “El Ciclon de Guantanamo” Gamboa (30-3, 18 KO’s) with a highlight reel 12th round knockout.
SHOOTING SHOTS AT TANK
Yet, in the face of the eye-catching win, some walked away seeing vulnerability in Davis. One such individual was WBC world featherweight champion “Mr.” Gary Russell Jr (30-1, 18 KO’s). Despite being two weight divisions south of Tank, Russell is aching to get his shot at the Baltimore bad boy. No stranger to calling boxers out, Mr. was only too happy to extend Davis an invite to an in-ring dust-up.
However, given that both came up in the DMV area, Russell feels that a ‘Mr. versus Tank’ prizefight would enjoy a very niche market and should warrant a very special venue.
“I mean it ain’t nothing personal with Tank, he just came up at the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s right around my weight, it’s a fight that can be made, so shit, let’s make it happen! And shorty, it ain’t nothing personal but you right around me. I want to see you and for real, for real you don’t got nothing for me.
You can do that at the Red Skins Stadium, nice big arena…that’s about 50,000!”
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
Gary Russell Jr is so jazzed on the notion of this hometown scrap that in his mind, it’s not even about titles. In fact, Russell is so firm on the matter that the belts need not even come into play. For the slick-skilled WBC featherweight champ, collecting Tank’s scalp in front of their original fan base would be reward enough.
“Let me say this though, that’s a fight that could be made just for the people! This is for the people. Even if Tank didn’t have a title and I move up to 135, I don’t have to have title, we can fight! This is for the people, they would want to see that, who wouldn’t want to see that fight?”
HURDLES STILL TO HOP
While a showdown between Davis and Russell Jr would be as juicy and spicy as a steak fresh off a New Orleans grill, there are obstacles preventing the potential event.
First, Russell Jr has to get past his own mandatory challenger Tugstsogt Nyambayar (11-0, 9 KO’s) on February 8. When facing Mr., Nyambayar will be stepping up his level of competition, but he appears to be a sturdy test for the WBC champ.
Meanwhile, all current indicators are saying that Gervonta “Tank” Davis is heading to pay-per-view with WBA super world featherweight champion Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KO’s). Talks of this potential showdown have swirled around boxing circles since Tank stopped the one-legged Gamboa in their December 28 knuckle-fest.
In addressing these matters, in an interview conducted with Nestor Gibb, Russell revealed both that he is confident he will win his fight and that Tank Davis can’t make weight to fight Cruz.
“Bet let’s really, realistically look at the situation. Gervonta Tank Davis moved up to 130 from 126, from 130 to 135, he couldn’t even make the weight at 135 and you mean to tell me he is going to move back down to 130 and fight Leo?
I highly doubt it. I highly doubt he can make 130, he can’t even make 135. The proof is in the pudding, he shows that his level of professionalism…for you not to be able to come to a fight, a world-class fight, and not be able to make weight, you know, stuff like that, it speaks volumes on you as an individual.”
Time will tell how it all plays out.
By: Bakari Simpson
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