The World Boxing Association (WBA) has advised BS.com that their championships committee has ordered a mandatory fight between the super featherweight champion of the divisio, Gervonta Davis, and the main challenger, Panamanian Ricardo Nunez.
Davis and his handlers have been notified and will be given a period of 30 days to reach an agreement.
The date for the start of negotiations is May 7 and the period will be fulfilled on the day of June 6. Failure to reach an agreement, and the ordered fight will be sent to a purse bid, for which both parties would be duly notified with respect to the date and location.
Nunez (21-2, 19 KOs) has been undefeated since getting knocked out in two rounds by Barnie Arguelles in 2015. They had an immediate rematch, which saw Nunez win by knockout in two rounds. He's won nine fights in a row and knocked out eight of those opponents.
But, Nunez has never fought anyone on the level of Davis and nearly his entire career has played out in Panama - with the exception of one fight that took place in Mexico in 2018.
Last edited by Ruthless-RKO on 24 Jul 2019, 11:34, edited 5 times in total.
Negotiations are ongoing for Davis (21-0, 20KOs) to defend his World Boxing Association “Super” 130-pound crown versus Panama’s Ricardo Nuñez, whom has emerged as the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger.
Expectations are for the two sides to come to terms without the fight having to go to a purse bid hearing. Until they reach that point, however, fanfare for Davis’ homecoming appearance remains limited to word of mouth.
“One thing about being the champion, you can’t get around those mandatory title defenses once they’re ordered,” Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, Davis’ promoter noted to BS.com. “That will be Tank’s next fight, but we’re not worried about moving (off of the July 27 date).”
Preliminary plans called for Davis to next defend versus 2004 Olympic Gold medalist and former featherweight titlist Yuriorkis Gamboa, as previously reported. Those plans changed, however, when the WBA instead ordered him to honor his mandatory defense obligation.
Rather than ordering a fight with “Regular” titlist Andrew Cancio in a title consolidation clash, however, Davis will instead have to face a fringe contender in Nuñez (21-2, 19KOs).
His team was being serious like this gonna be a serious year for him and by next year he gonna be a PPV fighter. Maybe he will fight again this year. But the opponents aren’t cutting it.
Two-time super featherweight champion and Baltimore-native Gervonta “Tank” Davis will defend his WBA title in a championship homecoming against mandatory challenger Ricardo “Cientifíco” Núñez Saturday, July 27 live on SHOWTIME from Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will feature the youngest reigning American world champion in Davis, as he becomes the first world champion from Baltimore to make a homecoming defense in nearly 80 years.
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions, are on sale tomorrow, Friday, June 7 at 12 p.m. ET and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or at the Royal Farms Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. ET to 5 p.m. ET.
“Bringing a show to Baltimore for Gervonta to perform on a stage in front of his hometown fans has been a long-time ask from him and I’m glad it’s coming to fruition,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “The timing that his homecoming is taking place couldn’t be better with him having elevated his career to being the most exciting fighter in the sport and ready to give his hometown fans a treat this summer. July 27 at Royal Farms Arena will be something special for the city of Baltimore.”
“At just 24 years old, Gervonta Davis is already one of the biggest stars in boxing, and his drawing power continues to grow with each performance,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming, Showtime Networks Inc. “He has scored knockouts in each of his five consecutive appearances on SHOWTIME while thrilling fans with his theatrics in and out of the ring. For his next test, Gervonta is facing an opponent with a similarly impressive knockout ratio in Ricardo Núñez. We expect fireworks for as long as this fight lasts.”
Davis (21-0, 20 KOs) became the youngest reigning American world champion in 2017 when he delivered a star-making performance on SHOWTIME by knocking out Jose Pedraza for the IBF 130-pound title at just 22 years old. Now, he makes his return to his hometown to fight for the first time as a world champion.
The 24-year-old became the youngest two-time world champion in April 2018 when he knocked out Jesus Andres Cuellar in the third round of their WBA Super Featherweight Championship bout. Most recently he knocked out former world champion Hugo Ruiz in the first round of his first SHOWTIME main event in February. Davis, who owns knockouts in all five of his world championship fights, is the first Baltimore native to defend in his hometown since Harry Jeffra defended the featherweight world title in 1940.
”It was always a goal of mine to bring a world title fight back to my city of Baltimore,” said Davis, who has not fought in Baltimore since his fourth pro fight. “I’m excited and grateful to my team for helping make this happen on Saturday, July 27. Tickets will go fast, so don’t wait on buying them! I can’t wait to put on a great show and to see all my supporters in Baltimore help me make it a night to remember at Royal Farms Arena.”
The hard-hitting Panamanian Núñez (21-2, 19 KOs) will be making his U.S. debut on July 27 as he seeks to take advantage of his first world title opportunity. The 25-year-old is on a 10-fight winning streak in which he has scored nine knockout victories. After his opponent was forced to withdraw from a scheduled March 2 bout on SHOWTIME, Núñez scored a first-round knockout of Eduardo Pacheco in April to make it three consecutive knockouts heading into this championship bout.
“My daughter is about to be born and with her in mind I am working very hard for this fight,’’ said Núñez. “I am dedicating this fight to my daughter and Panama, which has always supported me. I’m thankful for this opportunity and although some people don’t know much about me, after July 27, everyone will know me as the new champion of the world.''
Former world champions Yuriorkis Gamboa and Roman "Rocky" Martínez will battle in a 10-round lightweight attraction while lightweight contender Ladarius "Memphis" Miller meets former world champion Jezreel "El Invisible" Corrales in a 10-round showdown live on SHOWTIME Saturday, July 27 from Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is headlined by two-time super featherweight champion and Baltimore native Gervonta "Tank" Davis defending his WBA title in a championship homecoming against mandatory challenger Ricardo "Científico" Núñez.
"Saturday, July 27 is going to be something special for the city of Baltimore," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "While we know what the main event brings, both bouts leading up to it have high stakes written all over them as well. Any time you put former world champions and young hungry prospects in the ring, you know these fighters will be looking to get the win and ultimately put themselves in position for a shot at a title. I'm anticipating non-stop action in these bouts from the first bell to the end."
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with GTD Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or at the Royal Farms Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. ET to 5 p.m. ET.
A former titleholder at 126 and 130 pounds, Gamboa (29-2, 17 KOs) has won his last three fights, including a decision over former world champion Jason Sosa. His last time out, he dropped and defeated Miguel Beltran Jr. by unanimous decision. An Olympic gold medalist for his native Cuba, Gamboa fights out of Miami and will look to get another world title shot with a victory on July 27.
"I'm in a great position in my career and I'm very happy to be back on this big stage again," said Gamboa. "Rocky Martinez is a very tough and formidable opponent and we will make this a great fight for the fans. I know that I will make it past this challenge and on to more marquee opportunities. I'm looking at facing Gervonta Davis and becoming world champion again."
Always in exciting and memorable fights, Martinez (30-3-3, 18 KOs) returned to the ring in March by knocking out William Gonzalez. Fighting out of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Martinez is a three-time 130-pound champion who has faced elite fighters such as Mikey Garcia and Vasiliy Lomachenko throughout a career that has also seen him defeat the likes of Orlando Salido and Diego Magdaleno.
"I'm happy for this opportunity and to have this chance to be near a world title fight again," said Martinez. "I'm training to win against a good fighter in Yuriorkis Gamboa. It's a fight that will define my future and I am fully prepared to become world champion again, and this time in another weight division."
The 25-year-old Miller (19-1, 6 KOs) has won 10 fights in a row, including a victory over current world champion Jamel Herring, as he looks to earn a world title fight. Originally from Memphis and now living in Las Vegas, Miller began 2019 with a first-round knockout over Daulis Prescott in February and now has his sights set on earning a world title fight.
"I'm coming to make a statement on July 27," said Miller. "That's the mindset I've been training for. I'm facing a former world champion and a win can solidify my name in the 135-pound division. I've been working hard and I know that Corrales won't bring anything that I'm not prepared for. I'm excited to have this opportunity, take advantage of it and get one step closer to a world championship."
Representing his native Panamá, Corrales (23-2, 9 KOs) won a 130-pound world title by knocking out Takashi Uchiyama in Japan in 2016, before defeating him by decision in the rematch. The 27-year-old returned to the ring in April to knock out Onalvi Sierra in two rounds.
"I'm very excited to have this opportunity and grateful that I have another chance to fight at the highest level," said Corrales. "Miller is a very skillful boxer and I respect his abilities. I'm going to test him and see if he can fight off of his back foot. I'm going to prepare so that I have all the tools to get the victory on July 27."
Two-time super featherweight world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis will make history on Saturday, July 27 when he becomes the first Baltimore native to make a homecoming defense in nearly 80 years.
The last Baltimore-native to make a title defense in his hometown was Harry Jeffra, a featherweight world champion who defeated Spider Armstrong in July 1940 at Carlin’s Park to retain his belt.
At 24-years-old Davis is America’s youngest reigning world champion and has proven he has the star power to put Baltimore on the map as a significant fight city. The first world champion from Baltimore was Joe Gans, who was also the first African-American world champion in boxing history when he won the lightweight title in 1902.
“I believe it’s time for me to fight in front of my hometown and thank them for supporting me,” Davis said. “I never thought a fight in Baltimore would be this big. It gives me chills, but I’m ready for it. It’s a big test. I’ve been gone for so long and coming home feels amazing.”
This will be just the second time that the power-punching southpaw has fought in his hometown since turning professional in 2013.
Davis vs. Núñez is the first world championship in Baltimore in nearly 50 years. Light heavyweight champion Bob Foster defeated Mark Tessman by knockout at the Baltimore Civic Center in June of 1970 and the city hasn’t hosted another world title fight since. The historic night will also be the first SHOWTIME boxing event held in Baltimore in the network’s 33-year history
Formerly called the Baltimore Arena and Baltimore Civic Center, Royal Farms Arena has hosted dozens of boxing events since it opened in 1962. One of boxing’s all-time greats, Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard made his professional debut at the Baltimore Civic Center in 1977 and fought there six times during his illustrious career.
A number of notable world titlist have called Baltimore home but never fought in the Charm City, including Hall of Famer Dwight Qawi, former heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman and former super welterweight champ Vincent Pettway.
Gervonta Davis focused on Ricardo Nunez
“These guys from the past really motivate me, and I give much respect to the guys before me and the ones after me. But right now I’m laying the foundation to make history. It’s the people that I see every day in Baltimore that motivate me. I can’t think about anybody that was in the past or the future. We are all worried about what’s in front of us right now.”
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions in association with GTD Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or at the Royal Farms Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. ET to 5 p.m. ET.
Kenny Robles extended his winning streak Saturday, but it wasn’t easy.
The junior welterweight from Staten Island overcame a first-round knockdown, hurt Shawn West multiple times and won a unanimous decision in their six-rounder on the Gervonta Davis-Ricardo Nunez undercard at Royal Farms Arena. Robles (7-1, 3 KOs) won the bout by scores of 60-55, 59-55 and 58-55.
West lost for the first time as a pro (3-1, 2 KOs).
Robles had taken control by the third round, but both boxers landed power shots during the second half of what was a competitive contest.
After suffering a knockdown late in the first round, Robles rocked West with a left hook late in the second round.
That shot knocked West into the ropes. Robles wobbled West with a right hand several seconds later.
Robles seemed to buzz West with a right hand late in the first round, but West quickly caught Robles with a right hand that made Robles stumble. Robles’ right glove touched the canvas, which counted as a knockdown.
Following those shaky sequences in the first and second rounds, neither fighter was hurt badly in the final four rounds.
The steaming portion of the undercard kicked off in the Jr. welterweight division.
23-year old Kareem Martin (13-2-1, 4 KO), 139 ¾, of Washington, DC made a successful debut at 140 lbs. with his first stoppage since 2015. 27-year old Luis Arias (8-19-3, 5 KO), 139 ¼, of La Cabos, Baja California, Mexico, was waved off in the corner before for the start of round four after a steady beating from the opening bell.
Martin was on point with his jab, right to the body, and left hook, landing them all seemingly at will. By the end of the third, Arias had almost nothing left but will; the stoppage played wise. The referee was Harvey Dock.
Jayson Velez hit Hector Suarez with virtually every power punch possible Saturday night, from almost any angle you could imagine.
The 130-pound contender still couldn’t knock out his durable opponent. It took a ringside physician to halt their scheduled 10-rounder at 2:07 of the seventh round for him to stop Suarez.
Puerto Rico’s Velez had dominated Suarez before their fight was stopped on the Gervonta Davis-Ricardo Nunez undercard at Royal Farms Arena. Velez (29-5-1, 21 KOs) had a particularly strong fifth round, when he landed several hard right hands on Suarez (12-11-2, 6 KOs).
The 31-year-old Velez won a third straight fight since dropping a 10-round unanimous decision to unbeaten prospect Ryan Garcia 14 months ago in Carson, California. The 23-year-old Suarez is 0-7-1 in his past eight fights, but the Mexican veteran lost by knockout or technical knockout for just the second time in 25 fights since he turned pro five years ago.
His “foundation” is pretty damned thin and wet at the moment.