Gervonta Davis revelled in the prospect of emulating Floyd Mayweather when he spoke at his grand arrival at Las Vegas' MGM Grand.
On Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena he fights his long-term rival Ryan Garcia, on an occasion that could yet even prove the biggest fight of the year.
Until last year the 28-year-old Davis was promoted by Mayweather, and he continues to owe much of his reputation to the fact that he and who was once the world’s leading fighter were so closely linked.
It took until Mayweather’s fight with Oscar De La Hoya for him to start becoming the profile of fighter he is recognised as even in retirement in 2023. In the event of a convincing victory over Garcia, 24, on Saturday, Davis could yet experience a similar level of acclaim.
“It means everything,” he said. “We’re putting everything on the line. Coming from where I come from, this is big. Floyd Mayweather and all the top guys fight in Vegas. This is the top level. So, I’m ready.”
Asked if beating Garcia would prove the start of the Davis era, he responded: “Yes.
“Hopefully [Garcia will] come ready. If not, it’ll be an early night.”
Garcia has, by the standards of Davis and Calvin Ford, been with his trainer Joe Goossen for a relatively short period of time. Davis spoke of the bond that he has with his trainer, before insisting that he is continuing his attempts to get Garcia to bet his purse on the outcome of Saturday’s fight.
“We’re a family,” he said. "I’ve been with Calvin since I was seven years old – we are family. We stick together; we have our ups and downs, but most importantly we have loyalty. That’s a big thing in our group, and we always stick together, and that’s what it is.
