Brilliant Gervonta Davis Stops Mario Barrios; Becomes a Three- Division World Champion. Should He Fight Santa Cruz or Garcia Next?
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 27 Jun 2021
Sensational unbeaten KO Artist Gervonta "Tank" Davis (25-0, 24 KO's), a protege of legendary Floyd Mayweather, became a 3-division world champion in sizzling fashion by stopping in the 11th round tough Mexican-American defending champion Mario "El Azteca" Barrios (26-1, 17 KO's), claiming the WBA Super Lightweight World Title tonight at the State Farm in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Davis powered through Barrios' toughness and guts dropping the taller man in chapters 8 and 11 with damaging, perfectly-placed body shots, as well with attacks to the head, which eventually prompted the thrilling stoppage at the 2:13 minute mark in one of the most remarkable wins for the 26-year-old southpaw fighting star from Baltimore, Maryland.
Even way down in the scorecards, the previously undefeated world champion Mario Barrios, 27, kept his fighting spirit high, not diminishing his will for victory.
This time, however, the San Antonio-native was forced to beat the dust to the better man, ending the battle with a cut under his left eye, a direct result of one of Davis's right hooks that landed hard in round eight.
Tough Mexican American Mario Barrios on the blue canvas writhing in pain from mean body shot.
Gervonta Davis becomes king in a third weight class with riveting win over Mario Barrios Saturday night in Atlanta, Georgia.
After tonight's awesome win, what next?
Will "Tank's" next war be a hot rematch against Mexican former champ Leo "El Terremoto" Santa Cruz (37-2-1, 19 KO's)? Is that indeed the rumble that mots fans want to witness?
In their prior fantastic encounter, "Tank" Davis ravaged the popular Santa Cruz in six chapters in October of last year at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Santa Cruz, 32, hasn't climbed the ring since that rough night of leather. But if the two men battle one more time, would the same result happen again?
But, instead of Santa Cruz, should "Tank" come down to 135-lbs to fight to fight the even more popular "King" Ryan Garcia (21-0, 18 KO's)?
Davis, handled by Floyd and Haymon, and Garcia, who is promoted by Oscar de la Hoya, would definitely be a blockbuster event that no boxing fan would want to miss. Will it happen?
Tonight's Gervonta Davis vs Mario Barrios for the WBA Super Lightweight World Championship was a promotion of Al Haymon live on Showtime PPV.
The author Carlos Costa is a veteran boxing reporter living in Cebu. Carlos can be reached by email carlos512@hotmail.com or whatsapp/viber: 09184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 17 Jan 2026MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
Sat, 17 Jan 2026NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
Fri, 16 Jan 2026SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 16 Jan 2026Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Weights from Trenton, NJ
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
Wed, 14 Jan 2026“No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 14 Jan 2026