Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz - October 31, 2020

[Onetimeonly]

That seems rather delusional. Have either guy headlined a PPV before? I think they'll be lucky to do 300K.

300 would be incredible. At least they moved it away from a huge UFC.

[Ruthless-RKO]

That seems rather delusional. Have either guy headlined a PPV before? I think they'll be lucky to do 300K.

300 would be incredible. At least they moved it away from a huge UFC.

The UFC wasn’t even going head to head with this anyway.

They’re catering that for UK, Russian and Middle East fans. Will be afternoon in the US.

[Onetimeonly]

That seems rather delusional. Have either guy headlined a PPV before? I think they'll be lucky to do 300K.

300 would be incredible. At least they moved it away from a huge UFC.

The UFC wasn’t even going head to head with this anyway.

They’re catering that for UK, Russian and Middle East fans. Will be afternoon in the US.

Khabib vs gaithjie? I haven't heard that, would be really strange/stupid. None of their other fights have been.

[Onetimeonly]

Wow, you're right. Going against college football is crazy.

[Evander]

This is an A list fight as I see it.
Only downside is Leo has to move up.
How much smaller are we expecting Leo Santa Cruz to be ?

6-9 Pounds

[Ruthless-RKO]

300 would be incredible. At least they moved it away from a huge UFC.

The UFC wasn’t even going head to head with this anyway.

They’re catering that for UK, Russian and Middle East fans. Will be afternoon in the US.

Khabib vs gaithjie? I haven't heard that, would be really strange/stupid. None of their other fights have been.

The Dustin Porier fight was the same. I watched that live 9pm in the UK. That was in Abu Dhabi

[Ruthless-RKO]

The UFC wasn’t even going head to head with this anyway.

They’re catering that for UK, Russian and Middle East fans. Will be afternoon in the US.

Khabib vs gaithjie? I haven't heard that, would be really strange/stupid. None of their other fights have been.

The Dustin Porier fight was the same. I watched that live 9pm in the UK. That was in Abu Dhabi

https://talksport.com/sport/mma/767171/ ... ssion=true

[Onetimeonly]

The UFC wasn’t even going head to head with this anyway.

They’re catering that for UK, Russian and Middle East fans. Will be afternoon in the US.

Khabib vs gaithjie? I haven't heard that, would be really strange/stupid. None of their other fights have been.

The Dustin Porier fight was the same. I watched that live 9pm in the UK. That was in Abu Dhabi

Khabib is a massive whiner.

[Duran1970]

This is an A list fight as I see it.
Only downside is Leo has to move up.
How much smaller are we expecting Leo Santa Cruz to be ?

6-9 Pounds

I thought Davis is moving down

[Ruthless-RKO]

This is an A list fight as I see it.
Only downside is Leo has to move up.
How much smaller are we expecting Leo Santa Cruz to be ?

6-9 Pounds

I thought Davis is moving down

Same..

[Cent0089]

Honestly im not saw much of a Santa Cruz. Has he anything that posseses a threat for Davis ? He is a former bantamweight, while Davis is fast, skilled and explosive af.

[jujigatame]

I would imagine the size difference will be more than 6-9 pounds in the ring. I think 12-15 is more likely.

[gregregegg]

This is an A list fight as I see it.
Only downside is Leo has to move up.
How much smaller are we expecting Leo Santa Cruz to be ?

6-9 Pounds

I thought Davis is moving down

Same..

Tricky one, from there last fight, leo is staying still and tank is moving down. But 6/7 of tanks last fighs have been 130, and 8/9 of leos last fights have been at 126.
So with the fight schedualed at 130, i can see how someone could say leo is moving up, but can also see how someone could say tank is moving down.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I thought Davis is moving down

Same..

Tricky one, from there last fight, leo is staying still and tank is moving down. But 6/7 of tanks last fighs have been 130, and 8/9 of leos last fights have been at 126.
So with the fight schedualed at 130, i can see how someone could say leo is moving up, but can also see how someone could say tank is moving down.

The fight will be at 130, it will be Leo's 130 belt and also Davis' 135 belt at stake. as the fight wil be taking place below 135.

[Ruthless-RKO]

All Access: Gervonta Davis vs Leo Santa Cruz premieres Oct. 16



With Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz set to duke it out on Halloween night, Showtime Sports will be leading into the event a two-episode series of its All Access programming focused on the fight, kicking off on Friday, October 16th at 8:30pm ET.

Episode 1 will delve behind the scenes of both fighters’ training camps as their prepare to do battle with belts in two weight divisions on the line. Davis (23-0, 22 KOs) comes into this fight off a TKO win over Yuriorkis Gamboa last December while Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) took a unanimous decision win over Miguel Flores last November.

With a win Santa Cruz will be looking to gain respect as a top pound-for-pound talent while Davis looks to solidify his resume on the way to stardom. Both fighters have something to prove and both will suffer a career setback with a loss here. Check out the preview for the premiere of All Access above.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Santa Cruz's Father Nearly Died From COVID-19; Back In Gym, Helping Train Son

Leo Santa Cruz casually mentioned that training camp was going great during a virtual press conference Tuesday.

His brother, Antonio, has been doing the bulk of the physical training with him. Their father, Jose, has been overseeing the operation.

It has been business as usual for the Santa Cruz clan as they prepare for the biggest fight of Leo’s life, a Showtime Pay-Per-View showdown with unbeaten knockout artist Gervonta Davis on October 31 at Alamodome in San Antonio.

Three months ago, though, doctors braced Leo, Antonio and the rest of their close-knit family for the likelihood that Jose wouldn’t survive his debilitating battle with COVID-19. Jose Santa Cruz, who had already beaten cancer, was hospitalized for more than a month in June and July as the virus ravaged him.

“We thought we were gonna lose him,” Leo Santa Cruz told Boxing Scene. “When he was in the hospital, his lungs were failing, his heart stopped. He caught [COVID-19] two times, so he kind of died in bed, but they brought him back. They told us that if he died one more time, they needed to know what we wanted to do. They said that they didn’t think he would make it through the night. So, we talked to my mom and they said that if they brought him back to life, he would basically be dead, but the machines would keep him alive. But my mom said we don’t want him living like that. We don’t want him to be suffering, so that if something [else] happened to him we would just have to let him go.”

Leo Santa Cruz and his family fully expected the worst whenever a doctor or nurse called during those dark days to give them updates on Jose’s critical condition.

“We thought they would call up and say, ‘Your dad passed away,’ ” Leo Santa Cruz said. “But thank God, they called up and said, ‘His lungs started functioning again.’ And his heart started getting better, little by little. And every day, he was getting better and better. So, we were very happy. We were relieved that he was getting better and better. It was a miracle that God made for us.”

It wasn’t the first time this deeply religious family felt divine intervention kept their resilient, prideful patriarch with them.

He previously battled Stage 3 multiple myeloma, a cancer that impacts plasma cells in bone marrow. Jose’s intense treatment while bravely battling that disease included chemotherapy and spinal surgery, which caused long-lingering side effects.

Jose was confined to a wheelchair while Leo trained for his first fight against Carl Frampton, who became the only opponent to defeat Santa Cruz when he won their initial 12-round encounter by majority decision in July 2016 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Santa Cruz regained the WBA “super” featherweight title from Frampton in their immediate rematch, another 12-rounder that he won by majority decision in January 2017 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

By the time Santa Cruz began training for his rematch against Abner Mares late in the spring of the following year, Jose’s cancer was in complete remission. Other than aches and pains, Jose remained relatively healthy until he contracted COVID-19.

Three months removed from another brush with death, he spends every day at a boxing gym in La Puente, California, helping Antonio prepare Leo for his 12-round, 130-pound title fight versus Davis.

“My dad, right now, is doing great, thank God,” Leo Santa Cruz said. “The pain has been controlled a little bit. He has some days where he has pain, but it’s normal. But he’s been in camp with me and everything. He did have some problems before the fight got made, before we came up with the date for the fight. He was doing really, really bad. But God made a miracle. He made it through the whole COVID thing. He almost passed away. The doctors said there was no hope for him, but like I said, thankfully God made a miracle and he’s gonna be there for this fight.”

Antonio Santa Cruz contracted COVID-19 as well, but his case wasn’t as severe. He self-quarantined for about a week and then tested negative for coronavirus.

Leo Santa Cruz’s 2-year-old daughter, Luna, also tested positive for COVID-19. The youngest of his three children experienced mild symptoms as well.

Leo Santa Cruz repeatedly tested negative for COVID-19, though a doctor informed him that he probably had the virus at some point.

Once Antonio, Luna and Jose recovered, Leo Santa Cruz began concentrating on preparing for his huge fight with Davis.

Having his father in camp and in his corner on fight night has always been comforting for Santa Cruz. The four-division champion from Rosemead, California, has totally trusted his father’s strategic instincts throughout his amateur and pro careers.

“I have my dad, my brother and my whole team training with me,” Leo Santa Cruz said. “Everything’s coming out great.”

Jose’s presence will be particularly important throughout the remainder of his camp and on the night of October 31. In Davis, his son will encounter a dangerous puncher who has knocked out all but one of his pro opponents (23-0, 22 KOs).

Baltimore’s Davis has stopped 14 straight opponents inside the distance and is a 4-1 favorite over the durable Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs). Significant factions of fans and media have dismissed Santa Cruz’s chances of pulling off an upset.

Those cynics have motivated Santa Cruz, but the humble Mexican-American has kept such skepticism in perspective in light of what has happened to his father.

“I’m really grateful,” Leo Santa Cruz said. “Every day I thank God for keeping him here with us. I’m blessed because I know everything he’s been going through is very hard. To have had all these things happen to him, he could’ve been gone a long time ago. But he’s strong. He’s a warrior. And I just think God is on our side. My dad is here for a reason. I’m just very happy he’s here with us.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Leo's father has been through a very tough time over the last several years..

[Evander]

I thought Davis is moving down

Same..

Tricky one, from there last fight, leo is staying still and tank is moving down. But 6/7 of tanks last fighs have been 130, and 8/9 of leos last fights have been at 126.
So with the fight schedualed at 130, i can see how someone could say leo is moving up, but can also see how someone could say tank is moving down.

Fair enough.
But Tank won't be coming in at anywhere near 130, Leo hasn't got the frame to carry the weight which is why I think there might be enough of a weight difference to suggest it could be one of the factors that sways opinion coming into the fight.
Just a shot in the dark.
Match up itself is brilliant I love it.

[gregregegg]

Same..

Tricky one, from there last fight, leo is staying still and tank is moving down. But 6/7 of tanks last fighs have been 130, and 8/9 of leos last fights have been at 126.
So with the fight schedualed at 130, i can see how someone could say leo is moving up, but can also see how someone could say tank is moving down.

Fair enough.
But Tank won't be coming in at anywhere near 130, Leo hasn't got the frame to carry the weight which is why I think there might be enough of a weight difference to suggest it could be one of the factors that sways opinion coming into the fight.
Just a shot in the dark.
Match up itself is brilliant I love it.

Agree tank will be big but I’m almost going the other way. Think tank could be too big and have a rough cut getting to 130 and therefor get beat up late as his stamina is effected.

But, then again if he realy struggles he will just come in at 135, he has been willing to miss weight befor rather than realy drain himself.

[Evander]

Tricky one, from there last fight, leo is staying still and tank is moving down. But 6/7 of tanks last fighs have been 130, and 8/9 of leos last fights have been at 126.
So with the fight schedualed at 130, i can see how someone could say leo is moving up, but can also see how someone could say tank is moving down.

Fair enough.
But Tank won't be coming in at anywhere near 130, Leo hasn't got the frame to carry the weight which is why I think there might be enough of a weight difference to suggest it could be one of the factors that sways opinion coming into the fight.
Just a shot in the dark.
Match up itself is brilliant I love it.

Agree tank will be big but I’m almost going the other way. Think tank could be too big and have a rough cut getting to 130 and therefor get beat up late as his stamina is effected.

But, then again if he realy struggles he will just come in at 135, he has been willing to miss weight befor rather than realy drain himself.

Got to think Davis is taking this fight seriously.
Yes Tank could drain himself making weight, it's possible, however in light of the magnitude of the contest I can't imagine he would risk all on weight boxing an A list Mexican in a bout like this, it's a massive fight.
Why take any chances and just make weight correctly and lob on the extra once off the scales, they do it all the time.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gervonta Davis – Leo Santa Cruz Undercard Press Conference Quotes

Fighters competing on the Gervonta Davis vs. Leo Santa Cruz SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) undercard previewed their respective showdowns during a virtual press conference Tuesday before they meet in the ring on Saturday, October 31 from the Alamodome in San Antonio in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.

The event featured unbeaten San Antonio native and WBA Super Lightweight Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios and hard-hitting Ryan “Cowboy” Karl, who meet in the co-main event, plus former super lightweight world champion Regis “Rougarou” Prograis and unbeaten contender Juan Heraldez, who square off in in a 10-round showdown, and lightweight contenders Isaac Cruz and Diego Magdaleno, who battle in an IBF title eliminator to kick off the pay-per-view.

The event is promoted by Mayweather Promotions, TGB Promotions, GTD Promotions and Santa Cruz Boxing Club. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. The Alamodome has implemented a comprehensive health and safety plan to protect against the spread of the coronavirus. All fans attending the event will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask as well as follow social distancing guidelines. Tickets will be distributed in seat blocks known as “pods” to maintain distance between groups not from the same party. For more information, visit Alamodome.com

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:

MARIO BARRIOS

“I’m super amped for this type of fight. Ryan and I have known each other forever and we know the style that the other person will bring to the ring. For the fans at Alamodome and watching on pay-per-view, they’re in for a great fight.

“I couldn’t be happier to be in one of the first fights with a crowd since the pandemic. Having my first defense be in my hometown of San Antonio is huge. The feedback I’ve been getting so far from my fans has been incredible. Onfight night that we’ll both have our fan bases there for an exceptional night of boxing.

“I know that come fight night I’ll be facing the best version of Ryan Karl that we’ve seen. He’s training the same way and expecting that from me. So it’s going to be an action-packed fight and the fans will not be disappointed.

“I don’t feel any pressure fighting at home. Every time I fight at home, the energy has been unreal. If anything, it’s more motivating.

“We’ve watched my fight against Batyr Akhmedov a couple times. I’m a warrior and I showed that in the fight. We made all the changes we needed to in this camp and I’m going to show them on October 31.

“I’m very proud of the Akhmedov fight. Every great fighter has had close fights like that. It was a learning experience.

“I know the route that Karl has had throughout his career and I know he’s taking this opportunity and coming 100% ready. I’m planning to keep the world title in San Antonio, so it’s going to be a great battle.”

RYAN KARL

“This fight is going to be a big deal. It’s really surreal, to an extent. We’re very excited and working really hard and putting in the work. It couldn’t be better that it is taking place in Texas with fans. It’s going to be a big Texas showdown.

“I’ve definitely evolved as a fighter. I’ve trained harder than I ever have before. Ronnie [Shields] has talked to me about staying calm and getting ready for the moment and what it means to be in a world title fight. It’s about just staying focused and handling business. We have to remember we are there for business and nothing else. This is no pleasure but all work, no play. And he’s keeping me focused on those things and getting me in the best shape of my life.

“I’ve known Mario forever so as far as knowing each other and styles, we’re familiar. But we’ve never been in the ring with each other so we are really just guessing what we are going to do in there. As far as how we’ll come out and fight, we really won’t know until we are in there with each other.

“I expect it to be a fan-friendly fight. A true Texas fight. As far as how it’s going to play out, I really don’t know. People make adjustments in the ring. I expect us both to come to win and do so at all costs and just make it a very, very fan-friendly fight.

“I don’t really feel any pressure for this fight at all. It really doesn’t make any difference to me that we are fighting in San Antonio, or not. It’s nice to be fighting in Texas because I’m a Texan and I’d like to fight here and never have to leave. But I don’t feel any pressure at all. I’ll fight anybody, anywhere. There’s nobody else in the ring but me and him so it doesn’t really matter in the end.”

REGIS PROGRAIS

“I’m very excited for my first fight as part of the PBC stable. I’ve been wanting to come over to this side for a long time and it’s finally happening. When something bad happens, something good usually happens off of that so this is perfect. I’m in Katy, Texas, which is a two-hour drive from San Antonio, is a big fight town. Plus, this is the first fight back where we’re having fans. Everything is working out perfectly and I’m so excited to be on such a big card and to get back in the ring.

“I still feel like I’m the best in the world at 140 pounds. In the Josh Taylor fight, I went over there to England, fought in front of over 20,000 people who were all against me and I still feel like I won the fight. I won’t say they robbed me because that’s not what happened, but I still feel like I won the fight. I feel like I’m the best in the division and I need to keep proving it. This is another step for me.

“My next move depends on what’s offered to me. But first off, I have a tough fight in front of me. I’m focused on Juan Heraldez. There are a lot of things on the table for me after this, but I have to get past him first. I do yearn to be a champion at 140 pounds again before I move up to welterweight. That is the plan. But the landscape of boxing changes so much that it’s so hard to predict. You never know what’s going to happen.

“There are a lot of people out there right now for me to fight. Adrien Broner, Josh Taylor, Jose Ramirez. Me and Josh Taylor are definitely going to fight each other again. No matter what, we have to fight. The fight was too close and it was too much of a big deal out there in the U.K. for that not to happen again. I definitely want to fight Ramirez. I feel like he’s ducked me for a little while. And the Broner fight could definitely be a huge fight. All of those names are who I’m looking for. But it’s one step at a time and it’s Juan Heraldez next.

“The Taylor fight definitely showed me that there are things I need to improve on. Going into that fight, I questioned myself if I could fight 12 hard rounds. I had only gone 12 rounds against Terry Flanagan but that was a boxing lesson, not 12 hard rounds. I fought 12 hard, hard rounds against Taylor so it was kind of a question in my head before that. Now I know that I can do it. Josh Taylor is a very big puncher and I took his punches like it was nothing. As far as things I need to work on, I guess we’ll see. But I’ve been working really hard and I’ve been in training camp since before the pandemic started. I had a lot of fights that didn’t happen so I’ve been working that whole time, working on different things and busting my ass. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get to the top spot at 140 pounds.”

JUAN HERALDEZ

“In my last fight against Argenis Mendez I learned that I have to really control of the fight. I can’t let there be 50-50 rounds and leave it in the judges’ hands. I have to take as much control as I can over the fight.

“On paper Prograis has a good resume, but when it comes to skills in the ring, it’s a totally different thing. People can say what they want, but skills pay the bills.

“I’ve only watched a couple of rounds against Josh Taylor because that was a fight against a southpaw. I don’t think I can take much from that. I’m a totally different fighter.

“I just believe in my skills and ability. Whether it’s my footwork, speed or overall ability, I don’t believe that he does anything better than me. He had his time at the top of the division, but now it’s my time. It’s my time to shine.

“After this fight I think the whole division is going to fear me. I think it’s going to be hard to find me a fight after I’m through with Regis.”

ISAAC CRUZ

“[Magdaleno] is definitely a good fighter and has a lot of experience, but me and my team are ready to take advantage of the experience we have and to use it for our purposes to be able to prevail in this fight.

“The fact that this will be the first big fight with fans in the stands in the United States just fills me with happiness. It motivates me even more to do my best at the Alamodome on October 31.

“The Mexican fans know what I’m all about. We will now head over to the United States and show the American fans what Isaac Cruz is capable of. I know I can be a contender with the likes of Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia and [Vasiliy] Lomachenko and show people that there is another Mexican fighter that can be a contender and make noise in this division.

“I’m prepared for his experience. It’s going to be a great fight from the start, but as the rounds go on, he will start to realize the fighter I am and the power that I’m capable of.”

DIEGO MAGDALENO

“This is my second fight with my trainer, Bones Adams. It’s a family affair. Boxing is family to me. Going into every fight, being a mature old man that they are calling me nowadays, it feels good because I know where my priorities are. My last win over Austin Dulay was huge because my last team that I had was pretty much saying that I was old, that I was washed up and done. I didn’t like that idea. I went back and rejuvenated my whole team. Rejuvenation over here is Bones Adams.

“You’re never too old to get better and we’re here to serve beatdowns to the young guys. My last opponent was 24 years old coming over to face an old man, and I proved the world wrong. Now everybody is believing again in ‘2FUEGO’. I’m going to start this show off with some fire. They have me opening the show on a stacked card and I’m going to get in there and give it my all.

“I’m surrounded by people who want me to progress. If I believe in myself, I want my team to believe in me and I felt that my old team didn’t believe in me. That’s why you saw what happened in that Teofimo Lopez fight. I’ve learned from my mistakes and moving forward I have positive gym vibes. I have a great coach who has been in the ring with me and knows me personally. I definitely made a huge change and look what I did against Dulay, a guy with vicious knockout power. Numbers and strategies can say one thing, but at the end of the day, when we get in the ring, it’s up to me to prove everyone wrong like I did in my last fight.

“I will be the first fight back with a crowd and I think that favors me. I fight off other people’s energy and you guys will all see that on October 31.”

[brilo33]

Same..

Tricky one, from there last fight, leo is staying still and tank is moving down. But 6/7 of tanks last fighs have been 130, and 8/9 of leos last fights have been at 126.
So with the fight schedualed at 130, i can see how someone could say leo is moving up, but can also see how someone could say tank is moving down.

Fair enough.
But Tank won't be coming in at anywhere near 130, Leo hasn't got the frame to carry the weight which is why I think there might be enough of a weight difference to suggest it could be one of the factors that sways opinion coming into the fight.
Just a shot in the dark.
Match up itself is brilliant I love it.

yea tank will be over 140 . very big its if he uses it to his advantage

[Evander]

Tricky one, from there last fight, leo is staying still and tank is moving down. But 6/7 of tanks last fighs have been 130, and 8/9 of leos last fights have been at 126.
So with the fight schedualed at 130, i can see how someone could say leo is moving up, but can also see how someone could say tank is moving down.

Fair enough.
But Tank won't be coming in at anywhere near 130, Leo hasn't got the frame to carry the weight which is why I think there might be enough of a weight difference to suggest it could be one of the factors that sways opinion coming into the fight.
Just a shot in the dark.
Match up itself is brilliant I love it.

yea tank will be over 140 . very big its if he uses it to his advantage

He'll use it to his advantage easily due to the fact that Leo is a come forward boxer, there will be plenty of target available.
It could go sideways for Tank if Leo's team develop an alternative style and strategy to do it, that'll be hard though as Leo pretty much does the same things throughout most of his fights.
Guess one of the upsides for Leo could be his desire to win and how much he wants it, he's proven to have other gears and when pressed can step it up, almost all or close to A level Mexicans have that trait.
However, if the weight difference is wide and the fight is relatively even going into the 2nd half, it could be one hell of a contest.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]