Heading into Davis versus Romero, the chiefs are banging the war drums heavy!
When it was announced that regular WBA world lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (25-0, 24 KO’s) was fighting Rolando “Rolly” Romero (14-0, 12 KO’s), near everyone felt that this would end in a spine-shuddering knockout. Tank is only four months removed from his eleventh round knockout of super lightweight Mario Barrios.
RELATED: Gervonta Davis vs Rolando Romero Set For December
Likewise, Rolly is just three month away from his seventh round stoppage of Swedish import Anthony Yigit. So it was easy to foresee the two principle characters verbally go toe-to-toe like Dave Chappelle and the transgender community throughout the prefight hype. So it should be no surprise that, at the first official presser, the two pugilists happily promised to do their dastardly worst come fight night.
What may or may not come as a revelation though was the ferocity with which all the coaches spoke. One by one, each of the chief seconds got up and assured that their charge would dismantle the opposition in a visually beautiful massacre. All spoke with the utmost respect and tact, yet all were talking in the ways of war.
THE UNDERDOG IS BARKING
Up first was Romero’s trainer, and former fighter, Cromwell Leopold “Bullet” Gordon. As a professional boxer himself, Gordon’s career did not pan out the way that he’d initially hoped. When he last exited the ring and sport seven years ago, he did so with a record of 4-11, 4 KO’s. Seven of his losses came by way of stoppage. Now in the role of a trainer, Bullet is hopeful that he can transmute all his knowledge and experience into Romero.
“We are fighting for a legacy. We’re not fighting for a belt and just money, we are fighting for a legacy. I tell that to Rolly, I tell that to his family. Gervonta Davis is standing in your way of changing your family and your legacy. We got a job to do. Murder, murder, murder! Kill, kill, kill! That’s the way we train!
“I don’t care about pure boxing, I don’t care about any style because in this fight game, one thing I’ve learned: karate, street fighting and boxing, I put it together and that’s why with a puncher with that much power and that much grind and grit, it’s a perfect match in heaven.”
TAG TEAM TRAINERS
Tank’s long time trainer, Calvin Ford, was by far the briefest of everyone on the microphone. Donning his trademark glasses with loose chain holders, Ford almost crooned his passage.
“Thank you, coach. Rolly, love you boy. Keep talking because at the end of that night, were going to see if you still be talking that night. I don’t train Tank for knockouts, I train him for the distance. Do the math! He can get you from one to twelve, so stay sharp.”
Co-trainer Barry Hunter was a tad bit more direct when discussing how Tank would win.
“We been born to stuff like this here man, and like y’all said, this fight will not go the distance! Everybody is working hard, everybody is going to be at their best. We don’t want no excuses now! After it’s over with, it’s over with. But I got faith in mines, I know what he is going to do!”
So far, right from the gate, this bout is producing some fun moments from not only the fighters, but the trainers. It will be interesting to see what these camps do and say next.
By: Bakari Simpson
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