Mario Barrios has come to the defense of WBA lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis over his selection of Lamont Roach for his next fight on December 14th. Barrios says Tank (30-0, 28 KOs) has “proven” himself enough during his 11-year career to “call the shots” to fight whoever he wants, just like Canelo Alvarez is doing now.
Two-division world champion Barrios (29-2, 18 KO), who knocked out Tank Davis in the 11th round three years ago on June 26, 2021, feels that super featherweight Roach (25-1-1 , 10). KOs) is not a “low fight”, and is a “really fun fight”.
Barrios is a PBC fighter, as is Tank Davis, so it’s unclear if he’s a team player with his favorable comments about his matchup against Roach. Like Tank, Barrios was well maneuvered by his management, being guided to two unbeaten world titles during his 11-year professional career.
Barrios was elevated to WBC welterweight Champion recently outside the ring by the World Boxing Council. In other words, Barrios is what fans call a “email sample.’ He won his interim WBC 147 lb title against Yordenis Ugas on September 30, 2023.
It was after Ugas was softened by Errol Spence, losing to him by a tenth-round KO on April 16, 2022, in a tough fight that involved the Cuban fighter sustaining a lot of punishment.
Barrios will defend his WBC welterweight title against #8 Abel Ramos (28-6-2, 22 KOs) on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul on November 15th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Ramos has a 1-2 record in his last three fights. This is an example of Barrios being well managed by its management. Why is Barrios making a fight with that kind of record for the title defense of his WBC welterweight belt?
“I know Tank is saying, ‘F*** boxing fans,'” Mario Barrios told the media on Gervonta Davis’ mindset towards the backlash he’s getting from people that he picked super featherweight Lamont Roach to defend his WBA lightweight title on December 14 in Houston.
“Everyone is always so opinionated. Boxing fans are so hard to please. It doesn’t matter who you fight,” said Barrios, who is making an easy defense of his WBC 147-lb belt against Abel Ramos, a fighter who he has lost two of his last three fights.
“All that matters is Tank does his thing. He’s shown more than enough. He’s kind of getting to that stage like Canelo. He can call all the shots he wants. He can move in any direction he wants. Don’t I don’t think it’s a bad fight,” Barrios said of Tank choosing Roach from the 130 lb. division. “It’s a really fun fight.”
