Currently Rolando Romero is touted as a 12-to-1 underdog versus Gervonta 'Tank' Davis prior to their meeting this Saturday night at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn.
Folks, it might as well be 120-to-1.
Romero has no shot to win this fight which is a pay-per-view feature that is being distributed by Showtime Sports. This almost has the feel of a televised execution (that you have to pay $80 dollars for).
While Romero has a colorful personality, and provides good for pre-fight banter, the reality is that outside of having heavy hands, he simply isn't very good. As you see him shadowbox, you wonder if he's actually popping-and-locking, or doing some interpretative dance. To say his form is unorthodox would be charitable.
https://twitter.com/ShowtimeBoxing/status/1529557163936473089
He's a much better character than an actual boxer.
Lets put it this way, for whatever criticisms you have of Tank's resume' -- which would be valid -- he is a very talented fighter, one that can box and bang at a high level. As I stated on this week's edition of 'the 3 Knockdown Rule', you can make an argument that Davis is one of the best 10-15 fighters in the world. Romero may not be among the top 100.
To put this into further perspective, within the lightweight division Davis is rated fourth by Ring Magazine, while Romero is unrated.
So yeah, while some state that Romero has the proverbial 'punchers chance', that's oftentimes is a nice way of saying a guy has to get lucky. In my view, it's the latter in this situation. Davis is just several levels about Romero.
This is a no-win situation for Davis. Blow out Romero early, and well, that's expected. If this fight goes into the late rounds, it will raise questions about Davis.
Showtime
Coming into this Saturday night, there has been a lot of focus centered around Davis' future with Mayweather Promotions. He's made it clear that he's leaving the company after this fight. But keep this in mind, that doesn't necessarily mean he's going to part ways with PBC and Al Haymon. Davis has made statements that he wants more control of his career. Perhaps he has heard the chatter about his career path, and is yearning to take on the other marquee names around his weight class.
But to be fair, Mayweather Promotions has by all standards done a very good job in handling Davis. Yeah, I said it. Hear me out. They have made Davis into a legitimate draw in the States (which isn't the easiest thing to do nowadays) and made him a good deal of money versus rather limited opposition. From this standpoint, they have succeeded in their role.
Regardless, moving forward it will be interesting to see what path Tank takes. But this weekend is a foregone conclusion for him.
BIG FIGHTS
A pair of significant fights were formally announced earlier this week. Top Rank announced on Monday that a showdown between WBO/IBF/Ring Magazine 130 pound champion, Mikaela Mayer, and WBC belt-holder, Alycia Baumgarnder.
TopRank
These two ladies have been going back-and-forth on Twitter recently, and it's clear that there is some real animosity between the two.
Top Rank says that further information on date, and venue will be forthcoming. But expect this match-up to take place in the late summer or early fall.
Then on Tuesday DAZN and Matchroom Sports made it official, the third chapter of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez-Gennadiy Golovkin will take place on September 17. The venue has still yet to be finalized.
"I feel very happy and proud to be able to give the best fights and this fight won’t be an exception", said Alvarez, who eschewed a rematch with WBA light heavyweight champion, Dmitry Bivol, who defeated him a few weeks ago. This bout will be contested at 168, where Alvarez is still the undisputed champion.
DAZN
While 'GGG' is now 40, this will still be a pitched battle between two guys who simply don't like one another after sharing 24 memorable rounds together in 2017 and 2018. One interesting variable will be how will Golovkin perform not having to cut down to the middleweight limit, and how Canelo looks having to come back down in weight.
“The Canelo vs. GGG trilogy is the biggest fight in boxing and I am delighted to get this made for September 17,” said Eddie Hearn, Chairman, Matchroom Boxing. “These are two men that bitterly dislike each other and want to end this incredible series with a blistering KO. I truly believe this will be the most thrilling fight between these two great champions and will be fireworks from the first bell to the last man standing.”
TR PROSPECTS
Top Rank has the best roster of prospects currently in the sport with young guns like Delonte 'Tiger' Johnson, Keyshawn Davis, Bruce Carrington, Abdullah Mason, Xander Zayas, Jared Anderson and Raymond Muratalla, among others.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Bob Arum says of them, ''they're terrific kids, great personalities, really, really nice. They're real gentlemen, all of them.
And this current generation of boxers want to be put on a steep curve and fight for titles as soon as possible.
Mikey Williams/Top Rank
"Yeah, absolutely," stated Arum, "because if you look at years past where guys came out of the amateurs and had big experience like a Ray Leonard, or Pernell Whitaker, they were moved a lot faster than fighters in the last five or ten years."
3KR
Here is this week's episode of 'the 3 Knockdown Rule' on Triller with Mario Lopez and myself:
Mario & Steve Breakdown Tank vs Rollies | The 3 Knockdown Rule Ep. 32| TrillerTV
FINAL FLURRIES
Look for WBO featherweight titlist, Emanuel Navarette to make his 2022 debut in August, San Diego could be where he lands.....As for Teofimo Lopez, Arum says that as soon as they get medical clearance he could be slated for mid-August....Speaking of Keyshawn Davis, he's slated to return on July 15 on Top Rank's show at the Pechanga Casino....Erislandy Lara-Spike O'Sullivan is the main support bout on this weekends pay-per-view card....RIP to Les Bonano and Gary Russell Sr, two men who made great contributions to the sport of boxing in their respective roles....I can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com....
