Five-time world champion Gervonta “The Tank” Davis and tough opponent Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz faced each other in their final press conference on Thursday before they battled for the WBA’s lightweight title. Davis during the SHOWTIME PPV main event this Sunday, December 5, from the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
(Image source: Esther Lin / SHOWTIME)
The pay-per-view broadcaster will kick off at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. Pacific time and see Davis’ third consecutive pay-per-view headline draw, as A three-division light-weight 2nd division champion was picked up by the IBF in Cruz, a Mexico City native who earned the nickname “Pitbull” for his tough style.
Ticket for the event promoted by Mayweather, GTD and TGB Promotion, currently on sale and available for purchase at AXS.com.
Here’s what attendees of the press conference, including Mayweather President Floyd Mayweather, had to say on Thursday from downtown Los Angeles:
GERVONTA DAVIS
“I thank everyone here today and everyone who made this fight possible. This is going to be another big night. This is my first time fighting on a Sunday, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m ready for another great performance.
“I think fighting those who are shorter than me is more complicated than fighting those who are taller than me. You have to punch down and find him. But I’m getting to my climax, so we’ll see how it goes on Sunday.
“I can’t say too much about my strategy, and you’ll have to wait and see on Sunday. He can say whatever he wants right now, but it’s different when you get hit in the face.
“This is going to be a big event and an interesting fight. We are warriors who love to move forward, and when you get these styles, we’re going head to head.
“Changing opponents is just part of boxing, and I have to adapt to it like I would adapt to what Cruz brings in teamfights. We changed a few small things in camp, but we knew it was our duty to get the job done whoever it was.
“When you’re in the ring, if you have good coaches, they can tell you when a guy is injured and when to pick it up. I have the utmost confidence in my team. With all of us focused together, we will rise to the top.
“Even if we were to face each other today, I would love to see his height and reach and things like that. I pay attention to everything to fully prepare for the night of battle.
“I can’t say exactly what will happen in the fight because that won’t go unnoticed. I won’t make the same mistake that other boxers have made. I’m ready to go 12 rounds, and I’m looking forward to Sunday.
“He said that I had never faced someone like him, but he had never faced anyone like me. He can say what he wants to build the fight.
“I was the underdog like Cruz before, and I know that he is fully preparing and getting strong. I remember when my back was against the wall. It’s going to die right now, and he’s coming for it, not just for himself but for his family. “
ISAAC CRUZ
“I am hungrier than ever and I am more motivated than ever to provide a great future for my wife and son. Since I was a kid, this has been my dream, and I’m here to make it come true; and I will dedicate myself to make it a reality.
“My training camp was focused on endurance and I was fully prepared to put on a stellar performance for the fans and everyone watching on Sunday night.
“It’s simple. I’ve said it before, and I’ll repeat it. He’s never faced anyone who fights back like I do. My desire and will to win is unmatched, and he will feel it on Sunday night.
“I guarantee a great fight, and I guarantee excitement. I want my fans to be excited whether they’re watching SHOWTIME PPV or at the STAPLES Center, and I want them to go home happy.
“I have a lot of confidence in any punch I throw. As the Mexican saying goes, ‘whatever way it goes, it will go.’ But I’m very comfortable with my skin and my style, and I believe in what I can do on a Sunday night.
“Gervonta is a strong fighter, and I consider him the best in the league, but he is human, and he is not unbeatable. My goal will be to bring him down a notch and prove who I am.
“I know that Manny Pacquiao is well aware of this fight going on and we hope to make him proud to be part of the Manny Pacquiao Promotion. He said he believes in me and that we have to work hard and give our best in the ring. No matter what happens, he will be proud of us and he believes we can come out on top.
“It was mixed emotions when I learned that I was going to join this fight. There are so many emotions coming at once. But when we realize that this is an opportunity of a lifetime, we must take advantage and be ready to accept it. Here we are now, ready to go head-to-head.
“We saw a lot of Gervonta fights. And we have concluded both good and bad. We have researched Gervonta to the fullest. Our thirst for glory goes beyond anything you can think of. We will give our best in the ring.
“Gervonta is a strong warrior. He is a tough fighter. But he’s not unbeatable. We are not afraid of his speed. We worked hard to beat his speed. He has a strong top cut. He throws a lot of punches. But we are prepared. Regardless of what previous boxers did against him, we were prepared to fight whatever he might throw our way. ”
FLOYD MAYWEATHER, President of Mayweather Promotion
“This is another big fight between two great competitors who are going out there to show the world what they have. ‘The Tank’ has been on the big stage for a while, but he’s allowing another boxer to be great. Before I was ‘TBE’ someone had to give me a chance, like Cruz is getting.
“Cruz is a tough fighter. I didn’t know much about Cruz when this fight was first made. But when I do my homework, I find that I have faced people like him before. You can’t look down on any opponent, but especially an opponent like Cruz.
“The ‘tank’ has unbelievable boxing skills and a will to win. I see very similar qualities in Isaac Cruz. On Sunday, it will be an explosive night.
“The ‘Tank’ coaches gave him a comprehensive cover. They went out there and did what they had to do during training camp, and the ‘Tank’ will be ready by Sunday.
“These 130 to 140 pound weights are the strongest in boxing right now, and that’s my opinion. We have two of the best boxers at lightweight in this fight.
“This is going to be a very interesting fight, and I can’t wait. We have a huge leaderboard, but I really can’t wait for the main event. Sunday will be our day; Make sure you don’t miss it.
“It was a team effort that decided to put the game on Sunday. The Super Bowl is on Sunday, lots of awards shows and the NBA All-Star Game is all on Sunday. On Saturday, people usually go to nightclubs because they work 9-5 and want to enjoy their Friday and Saturday. But on Sunday, everyone is at home; they can sit down, enjoy the festivities and get this awesome card. “
CALVIN FORD, Davis Coach
“Cruz is a very aggressive fighter. This will be a fight you don’t want to miss. This is the fight where I’m looking for that fighter to bring out the best of Gervonta Davis.
“Is Cruz the one who pushes the ‘Tank’ further than he gets pushed? From what I’ve seen from Cruz on ALL ACCESS, I can see that he’s on a quest. He’s definitely on duty, and we don’t oversleep him. You’re going to want to get into this fight, and this is it. ”
BARRY HUNTER, Davis Co-Coach
“The ‘tank’ is a great fighter. He is explosive and very good. He brings a lot of things related to the sport. I’m just looking for a great, fan-friendly fight. We had all the confidence in the world in him, his abilities and what we did to prepare.
“I want to thank Cruz, his dad, and his team for accepting the challenge and stepping on the plate. I know he’s hungry, I know he’s prepared, and I know he has what it takes to win that world title; it’s just not happening now. “
ISAAC CRUZ SR., Father and Coach of Cruz
“It was a long training camp, but we got up to the challenge. Hopefully Isaac will be the one to finish with the belt after Sunday night.
“We are prepared for anything that can go into this fight. We wouldn’t have fought if we knew that Isaac could win. We’ll be ready when that bell rings on Sunday. ”
LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotion
“Sunday night will be nothing but fireworks. I can’t give anything but credit to Isaac Cruz for joining this fight. I know he’s mentally prepared. We’ve been keeping an eye on Cruz since his explosive performance in San Antonio as Gervonta’s yellow card last year. I knew then that he was going to be the guy ‘The Tank’ would have to face.
“We all just witnessed last week what happens when you’re a top boxer, and you don’t prepare properly, and you take your opponent lightly. But ‘Tank’ doesn’t do that. He took people seriously, and he knew that Isaac was ready and coming to take his throne.
“’The Tank’ had an excellent camp and did everything the coach asked of him. I was impressed with his maturity and the way he entered his own life on and off the ring. With all of that combined, I believe we’ll get to see the best of Gervonta Davis this Sunday night. ”
