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Mario Barrios will sit there calmly, projecting a cool veneer. That’s what everybody has seen and can see from the 26-year-old WBA junior welterweight titlist within the construct as much as defend the belt in opposition to two-division beltholder Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
What nobody sees, what nobody is aware of, solely him, are the roiling occasions, the place nothing will get in his approach. What nobody sees, what nobody is aware of, solely him, are the occasions when he can’t sleep, his goals of leather-based explosions abruptly interrupted by an nervousness to get into the ring and do it for actual. What nobody sees, what nobody is aware of, solely him, are the occasions, he envisions taking everybody out in his path to win—even his personal mom if he needed to.
That model of Barrios, we’ll name “Evil Mario,” can’t wait to get Davis within the ring on the State Farm Enviornment, in Atlanta, Georgia, on Showtime PPV this Saturday (9pm ET/6pm PT).
“I’m a really passive particular person outdoors of the ring, I don’t trash discuss, however once I step into the ring, I don’t care in the event you’re my mom, I’m a totally completely different one that will do something he has to do to get you out of there.”–Mario Barrios
Most sporting books consider Davis (24-0, 23 knockouts) is a 5-to-1 favourite. The books don’t know Barrios (26-0, 17 KOs).
“I’m a really passive particular person outdoors of the ring, I don’t trash discuss, however once I step into the ring, I don’t care in the event you’re my mom, I’m a totally completely different one that will do something he has to do to get you out of there,” Barrios mentioned, laughing on the mom reference. “This can be a big alternative for me. I do know what Tank possesses talent clever, however each time I take into consideration this battle, I’ll do no matter I’ve to do to maintain this title in San Antonio (Texas).
Barrios, The Ring’s No. 7 junior welterweight, has already pictured how he sees the battle going. He additionally realizes that Davis, 26, would be the most harmful opponent he’s confronted—although he is aware of Davis higher notice that he’s probably the most threatening opponent he’s going to see.
“This battle has the potential to simply be the battle of the 12 months,” Barrios mentioned. “I’ve been 140 kilos the final 5, six years. I do know I carry my energy from spherical one to spherical 12. He’s leaping two weight courses. He’s going to be the one who has to reply all the questions.
“He’s not combating a fighter previous his prime, or a fighter who’s arising in weight to face him. He’s capable of stroll down fighters and have success. He’s by no means confronted somebody who has the size that I’ve and the facility that I’ve.”
Barrios says he’ll don’t have any drawback assembly the 140-pound weight restrict. However “El Azteca” does plan on being 150, 152 kilos on battle night time. Barrios says the added weight shouldn’t gradual him down, and feels if he can get Davis into some hassle.
“I do know what folks assume, I by no means had the newbie pedigree and I’ve made it to turn out to be a world champion,” Barrios mentioned. “I’ve already beat the chances as is. I’ve no drawback proving folks incorrect. I consider Davis does have the power to bounce again if he will get in hassle, and I feel he is a superb fighter with an identical background as I do.
“I’m larger. I’m not giving that title up.”
In his final battle, Barrios smoked overmatched Ryan Karl in his first title protection final October, stopping Karl at 2:23 of the sixth spherical of the Davis-Leo Santa Cruz undercard in San Antonio. Davis was scintillating in destroying the gifted Santa Cruz at 2:40 of the sixth spherical. However that was at 130, with Santa Cruz down 48-47 on all three decide’s playing cards.
“Each battle we take as a studying expertise, however I used to be capable of look again at that battle and realized there was much more that I might have carried out higher,” Barrios mentioned. “Davis could also be underestimating, however that actually doesn’t matter. I do know everybody doubts me. However I’ve been doubted all through my life. Coming from San Antonio, I used to be one of many fighters everybody missed.
“The one factor that issues is how I do within the ring on Saturday night time. I do know what it takes and I at all times assume the sacrifices that I’ve made. My household didn’t have the cash to ship me to those nationwide tournaments. I bear in mind the occasions once I needed to do these play advantages and do water bottle gross sales on the nook.
“That’s stuff I’ll bear in mind once I’m in hassle within the ring. I’ll inform you this, I haven’t had any nightmares about Gervonta Davis. I most likely positive he hasn’t had any about me. However once I go to mattress, I’ve a smile on my face. That’s as a result of I do know what’s going to occur.”
FITE will be showing Barrios-Davis in the U.K. at 2:00 p.m. GMT for $9.99.
Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has been working for Ring Journal/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America. He will be adopted on twitter @JSantoliquito.
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