The Avila Perspective, Chapter 27: Gervonta, Abner and More

A storm beckons in the month of February one way or another at the gladiators home formerly known as the StubHub Center.

Either thunder and rain or concussive blows from two super featherweight warriors will bring turbulence to the newly named Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.

A storm is bound to happen when WBA super featherweight titlist Gervonta “Tank” Davis (20-0, 19 KOs) defends against Abner Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs) on Saturday, Feb. 9. Showtime will televise the match co-promoted by Mayweather Promotions, Ringstar Sports and TGB Promotions.

It’s the rainiest month in Southern California but if precipitation is avoided then expect an explosive encounter.

Super featherweights are the Maginot Line when it comes to separating the powers in boxing divisions.

All weight classes possess prizefighters that pack some kind of power in their punches, but when you rise to the 130-pound super featherweight class, then you are looking at not just power but armor piercing power.

Davis, 24, looks like a miniature Howitzer and has only allowed one former foe to hear the final bell. That was back in 2014 when he was only 20 years old. He’s learned a lot since then including how to win world titles-just knock them out.

Mares, 33, has spent 14 years in prizefighting and during that time has picked up world titles in the bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight divisions. He’s faced heavy artillery before against experts like Vic Darchinyan, Daniel Ponce De Leon and Leo Santa Cruz. He knows how to duck.

But there comes in time in everyone’s career when one particular style meets another particular style.

Davis has power and speed and has yet to meet someone that can counter those weapons.

“I’ve always known that you can’t underestimate anyone in the ring. You have to look at your opponent like they’re equal to you. I understand exactly what I have in front of me,” said Davis who is making the first defense of the WBA title after formerly holding the IBF version and losing it for failing to make weight.

Mares has experience and guile and has faced feared sluggers before.

“We’re not just going into this fight blind. I’m not stupid. I’m taking this fight because I see something in this guy. It’s a tough fight, no doubt. All fights are tough. He’s in for a good fight,” said Mares who trains in Riverside. “At the end of the day, you guys have to stop worrying about my weight and if I’m too small. You guys are going to get a great fight and that’s all that matters. Sit back, look pretty and enjoy the fight.”

Riverside

Gyms in the Riverside area will be running on nitro for the next few weeks. Aside from Mares preparing for his February date, the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy will also be prepping its fighters for a local fight card in neighboring San Bernardino.

Mikey Garcia has a mega fight coming up against welterweight kingpin Errol Spence Jr. in March, but he’s also making a promotional debut with his first pro boxing card on Jan. 18, at the Club Events Center in San Bernardino.

Heading the Garcia Promotions card will be featherweights prospect Luis Coria (9-2) facing James Thomas (6-4) in the main event. Also on the card will be undefeated super featherweight Anthony Chavez who trains with Henry Ramirez in downtown Riverside.

Josesito Lopez also has a date as he prepares to challenge undefeated WBA welterweight titlist Keith Thurman on Jan. 26, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Lopez trains with Robert Garcia at RGBA and at age 34 has spent 15 years in the prize ring. That’s nearly half his life.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. gets another crack at some action on January 26 too, as he fights Abraham Cordero at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Ortiz had his last fight canceled when his opponent fell out in New York City on the Canelo fight card. Now he’s back. He trains in Riverside at RGBA and will be accompanied on the same card by another RGBA fighter Joshua Franco whose last fight was one of the best in 2018 in a gritty 10-round war against Oscar Negrete. This time Franco fights Lucas Fernandez for the vacant NABF bantamweight title.

Super featherweight slugger Saul Rodriguez returns to the ring for the second time in three months after losing almost two years to inactivity due to contractual problems. The business end has been settled and now he’s back in action to re-ignite those super charged fists. Rodriguez meets Aelio Mesquita in a 10-round clash at Save Mart Arena in Fresno on Feb. 10. It’s a Sunday boxing card by Top Rank that will be televised by ESPN. The main event features WBC super lightweight titlist Jose Carlos Ramirez defending against Jose Zepeda. Ramirez trains in Riverside with Robert Garcia and Rodriguez trains in Riverside a few miles south with his dad Saul Rodriguez Sr.

Riverside is indeed heating up to blue hot levels.

Photo credit: Scott Hirano / SHOWTIME

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