Five-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis, boxing’s hottest young attraction, and unbeaten No.1 ranked contender and mandatory challenger Rolando Romero both made weight on Friday, before they square off in the SHOWTIME PPV main event this Saturday, May 28 headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
WBA Lightweight Championship – 12 Rounds
Gervonta Davis – 133 ¾ lbs.
Rolando Romero – 134 ¼ lbs.
Referee: David Fields; Judges: Ron McNair (N.Y.), Kevin Morgan (N.Y.), Robin Taylor (N.Y.)
GERVONTA DAVIS
“I want to thank everybody for coming out. I appreciate everyone who came out today and everyone who made this fight happen. I’m ready and I’m happy to be at this point. The talking is over and the time for fighting is now.
“We’ve been working hard in camp and we know that ‘Rolly’ is going to come out in round one and try to knock me out like he said. I’ll be ready for that. I’ll see everyone Saturday. The time is here and I’m ready.
“I’m excited to be back in Brooklyn and back at Barclays Center. This is a great city that always shows me love. It’s always been like a second home to me. I’m grateful to be back.
“I won my first title here in Brooklyn and then won a second title at Barclays Center as well. I feel like this fight at this arena is great for boxing.
“I’m maturing and I’m still learning as I walk this path. I have the people that I started with around me and I’m grateful. Nothing else to say except Saturday night is ‘Rolly’s’ due date.
“This is going to be fireworks. It’s going to be crazy in there. I just hope he doesn’t use his elbows like he does a lot.
“I don’t think he’s awkward. I just think he’s a guy who just started fighting. He’s like someone who just came into the gym. He’s like someone who thinks he’s nice now even though he hasn’t gotten it down pat yet. Real fighters know awkward fighters, he’s just a dumb fighter.
“I just want to show people that there are different levels when it comes to boxing. There are people that play boxing and there are people who have been doing this since they were kids. It’s time to show that I’m one of the guys who’s not to be played with. It starts with him and it’s going to continue.”
ROLANDO ROMERO
“This guy Davis talks about everything but the fight. He’s taking this fight personally. My job is just to beat him up. He’s very emotional. That’s why I’ve been calling him out.
“He has a big head for me to hit. I’m not going to say what punch I’m getting him with, but you’re all going to see on Saturday night. This is ending in one round.
“I’m ready to get violent in the ring. I’m smiling right now, but Saturday is going to be different. I feel extremely calm in the ring. I get into ‘Rolly’ mode.
“He never knows what to say or how to react to anything. He’s taking this fight too serious. When have you seen him this skinny before a fight? He’s scared of me.
“You guys are going to see ‘Tank’ get knocked out in one round Saturday night at Barclays Center. Nothing else needs to be said.
“I got to this point faster than anyone else and I’m here for a reason. I’m the new face of boxing and everyone is going to see on Saturday when I knock ‘Tank’ out.
“All ‘Tank’ does is the same basic pad work like everyone else. They all get knocked out when they run into a big puncher. Just like his guy Adrien Broner, this is going to be an Adrien Broner vs. Marcos Maidana sequel.
“I’m going to go in there and hit him with one punch and we’re going to be done.”
WBA Middleweight Championship – 12 Rounds
Erislandy Lara – 159 ¾ lbs.
Gary O’Sullivan – 159 lbs.
Referee: Benjy Esteves; Judges: Allen Nace (N.Y.), Tony Paolillo (N.Y.), Waleska Roldan (N.Y.)
ERISLANDY LARA
“I feel great. I’m very excited to be back fighting in Brooklyn again. This is a great opportunity to perform on a big stage on SHOWTIME PPV.
“My expectation is to go in there and put on a good show. I feel very strong and very prepared and we’ll see what happens in the ring on Saturday.
“Training camp went great. We put in incredible work in the gym day after day. Now I’m excited to be here for fight week.
“I need about two rounds to get familiar with my opponent, then I’ll be able to tell exactly where this fight is going. Once I figure out what I need to do, it’s just about executing.
“My only focus is on this fight Saturday night. If the other champions want to avoid me that’s their problem. I’m taking it one fight at a time.”
GARY O’SULLIVAN
“My layoff doesn’t mean a great deal to me. I’ve sparred three days a week during training camp. So any ring rust has been shaken off in camp.
“I’m looking forward to fighting at Barclays Center. It looks like an amazing atmosphere from everything I’ve seen and it’s going to be an honor to step into the ring.
“The first thing on my mind is beating Lara on Saturday. I’m ready for this opportunity. When I win this fight, I’ll be ready to beat him again in the rematch.
“I wouldn’t say that Lara has fallen off. He’s still a great fighter. He might even be more powerful than he’s been in the past. He sits down on his punches much better now and I think that suits me even better.
“I look forward to sharing the ring with Lara. I’ve got a good chin and I’m a tough man. I’m facing a great boxer who would give anyone trouble. I have to find a way to overcome that.
“I always come to fight. I’m coming in there to take him out. My mission is to stop him. I want to become the first man to stop him.”
Super Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Jesús Ramos – 153 ½ lbs.
Luke Santamaría – 154 lbs.
Referee: Arthur Mercante Jr.; Judges: Mark Consentino (N.J.), Ken Ezzo (Conn.), Steve Weisfeld (N.J.)
Super Featherweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Eduardo Ramírez – 130 lbs.
Luis Meléndez – 130 lbs.
Referee: Johnny Callas; Judges: Bernard Bruni (Penn.), John McKaie (N.Y.), John Poturaj (N.J.)
Live Prelims on SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel – Saturday, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT
Click HERE to Watch
Super Welterweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Luis Arias – 155 ¼ lbs.
Jimmy Williams – 154 lbs.
Referee: TBD; Judges: TBD
Welterweight Bout – 6 Rounds
Jalil Hackett – 145 lbs.
Jose Belloso – 145 ¾ lbs.
Referee: TBD; Judges: TBD
