Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios betting odds, preview, and pick
Gervonta Davis (left) fights Jose Pedraza (right). (Photo by Edward Diller/Icon Sportswire)
June 24th, 2021
Gervonta Davis will test the waters in the crowded junior welterweight division, and the undefeated Mario Barrios intends to drown him.
This June 26 fight isn’t going the distance and is sure to be a chaotic war while it lasts, and we have the pick and preview ahead of the violence.
Davis taking a risk at 140
Davis enters off a career-best performance, when he blasted the formidable Leo Santa Cruz to the moon in the sixth round of their bout in October. Though Davis has thrived at 130 and 135 pounds, he will make his debut at junior welterweight against Barrios.
“Tank” is the hardest puncher in the sport, and his delivery and punch selection has made him extraordinarily dangerous. Though he may be best suited for an extended campaign at lightweight, Davis is young and strong enough to venture outside his comfort zone.
Barrios is being underestimated
The odds paint Barrios as a severe underdog, but he has plenty going for him. Barrios is undefeated and extremely aggressive. Four of his previous five opponents were either knocked out or retired in their corner.
He’ll enter the ring with a huge advantage in height, reach, and size. He has all the tools he needs to engage Davis and take the young champion into deep waters.
Davis vs. Barrios tale of the tape
| Gervonta Davis (24-0, 23 KO) | Mario Barrios (26-0, 17 KO) |
|---|
26 | Age | 26 |
5’5” | Height | 5’10” |
67.5” | Reach | 70” |
5-0, 5 KO | Last five fights | 5-0, 4 KO |
Punching power | Key strengths | Size and height |
Davis will overwhelm Barrios
This fight came out of left field. It isn’t normal that a fighter on the verge of superstardom will go against an opponent much bigger and conceding so many physical advantages. The reason Davis took this fight, at this weight, has everything to do with the type of fighter he'll encounter in Barrios.
Anyone who has seen Barrios fight will say his defense is offensive. He has come out of fights looking like he went through a meat grinder, before getting run over by a semi. While his size and height may ease the sting off of Davis’ early barrage, there is no way Barrios will make it to the end of the bout.
Barrios can absolutely hurt Davis and will not go away easily. In what should be a hard-hitting fight on both sides, Davis should come away with a late-round TKO victory in a battle that might have fans calling for a rematch.
Boxing pick: Davis
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