WBA super featherweight world champion Gervonta Davis (20-0, 19 KO's) of Baltimore and three-division world champion Abner Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs) of Hawaiian Gardens, California by way of Guadalajara, Mexico held a press conference Thursday afternoon at the Conga Room at LA Live in Los Angeles to discuss their showdown taking place Saturday, February 9 at the Dignity Health Sports Park (Stub Hub Center) in Carson, California live on Showtime.
Here is what the fighters had to say.
Gervonta Davis:
"I believe that Abner Mares is a future Hall of Famer because he's fought so many top-level guys. This is big for me because this is my first time being a main event in the U.S. and I just feel blessed to be here,"
"In 2019, I want to make a big statement not only in the ring but by letting the boxing world know that I'm the next star. I'm aiming to headline a pay-per-view by 2020 if everything goes right. I have great fights lined up for next year, without looking past Abner,"
"It's all about being focused in that ring and doing my job. I'm coming to get Abner Mares out of there,"
“I want to thank Abner for taking his fight. Abner is a future Hall of Famer. We are not taking Abner lightly,”
“February 9th I’m excited for. 2019 I want to make a big statement. I want to show that I’m the next boxing star and I will be the next boxing star,”
Abner Mares:
“One day I just thought to myself that this fight against Gervonta Davis would be a great match up and that I can win it. There are other big fights at featherweight that I could have gotten. I’m taking this fight because of the challenge that it brings. I’m all about that,"
“I’m not taking this fight because of income. I’m taking this fight because of the challenge it brings. I come to fight and I will prove people wrong,”
“When people talk about Abner Mares, I want them to say he took on everyone,”
“They say this is the biggest fight of your career. No it’s not. I’s just another fight. I know what I am capable of and don’t sleep on me,”
Leonard Ellerbe:
“We have a great fight February 9th. This is. Fight that has been growing some time,”
“I’m excited they will meet February 9th. This is a fight between two warriors,”
“This is a fight Abner wanted. He wants the biggest and the baddest. Gervonta is young, exciting, and in the ring. He don’t play no games,”
Richard Schaefer:
“This fight is made for the war grounds at Stub Hub. Gervonta is a great young and exciting fighter,”
“You all ask. How can Abner take this fight but that’s Abner. Always looking for the toughest fights. This is what makes Abner great,”
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