Boxing legend Evander Holyfield was in attendance at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta for the Gervonta Davis vs Mario Barrios event. In a post-fight interview, Evander revealed both fighters impressed him and that they put up a good show.
Evander added that Mario Barrios did a good job of using his reach and arm extension to his advantage. Through the first four rounds, Mario Barrios could gauge distance and landed effective jabs.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Barrios’ height and weight definitely influenced Gervonta Davis‘s movement and ability to connect shots. Davis took his time to assess Barrios’ strikes and movement, and in round 5, he began closing the distance by parrying Barrios’ jabs.
As a result, Davis knocked his opponent down twice in round 8 and ultimately stopped him in round 11.
Speaking about the close scores, Evander said “I knew that at some point, somebody would have to take a chance, and Davis took more chances.“
Watch this Story: 5 Intriguing Opponents For Gervonta Davis Following Mario Barrios Win
Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 26: Gervonta Davis celebrates after knocking out Francisco Fonseca in the eighth round of their junior lightweight bout on August 26, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“Champions that become champions take chances, that’s how you win. The other guy (Barrios) used his reach very well. He (Davis) took a lot of time to figure out how to get him,” Evander added.
Holyfield summed up the bout by calling it “the best fight ever“.
Read More: The Secret Behind Mike Tyson’s Transformation Will Shock You!
Evander Holyfield’s return to the ring
At 58, Holyfield is trying to make his return to the ring. Negotiations for a mega trilogy fight between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield for May 2021 fell through.
Post that, Triller booked Holyfield to fight Kevin McBride on June 5; however, Triller pushed the event to June 19 to avoid clashing with the Paul-Mayweather exhibition fight on June 6.
Triller delayed the event even further when the event headliner, Teofimo Lopez, tested positive for Covid-19. Per a report, Holyfield will now fight an undisclosed fighter on August 14, 2021, as part of a Triller boxing event.
Getty
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 09: Heavyweight boxing legends Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield attend the 19th annual Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on August 09, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
