By Tommy Gray: Oscar De La Hoya was impressed with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis’ eleventh round knockout victory over WBA World light welterweight champion Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs) last Saturday night at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Golden Boy Promotions De La Hoya congratulated Tank on becoming a three-division world champion. De La Hoya says he’d like to match his young star Ryan Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) in with Tank, as he sees that as a tremendous fight.
The victory earned Tank Davis (25-0, 24 KOs) his third division world title, putting him in a position as one of the top guys in boxing in this era.
Davis, 26, started slowly and the first quarter of the bout, but then went into his seek & destroy mode, knocking Barrios down twice in the eighth and a final time in the eleventh round.
“Gervonta Davis, congradulations on the 3 divisions. You are the real deal and I love you for the fact that you are real. [Mario] Barrios, you are a true gentleman and a warrior,” said @OscarDelaHoya.
Tank’s promoter Floyd Mayweather Jr was hush-mouth when asked at the post-fight press conference about who he’ll be facing next.
The question was directed at Tank about who he’ll fight next, but Mayweather cut in and said that he’ll be matched against a PBC or Mayweather Promotions fighter.
Ryan Garcia is with Golden Boy Promotions, so Mayweather would have to be open-minded about working with them if he wants to further Gervonta’s career. There aren’t a lot of Mario Barrios-type belt-holders for Tank Davis to pick clean at 130, 135, or 140.
De La Hoya eager for Ryan Garcia vs. Tank Davis
“Ryan [Garcia] wants to fight the best, and this is his year, okay?” said De La Hoya to Fighthype.” I personally think Tank is the best fighter out there that Ryan can face.
“So if Tank thinks he can beat him, then let’s prove it in the ring. Ryan wants to fight him. I have no problem facing Ryan with the Tank. Styles make fights, and let me tell you one thing.
“Mayweather, let’s make it happen. You promote Tank. I obviously promote Ryan. Tank against ‘The Flash,’ come on.
“It doesn’t get better than that. We have a superstar in the making,” De La Hoya said about Ryan Garcia. “Tank, he’s filling up arenas now in the East Coast. People love him and he’s fighting.
“I love his style. He’s a guy that comes forward and he had a difficult time with Gamboa, who is shorter and has no legs.
“So I can imagine what a fight between Tank and Ryan would pan out. It would be very interesting, I would love that. It would be a big fight,” said an eager De La Hoya.
