Page 15 - aruba-today-20220528

A15
SPORTS Saturday 28 May 2022
Tank vs talk: Gervonta Davis aims to quiet challenger Romero

By BRIAN MAHONEY vis fought in Los Angeles.
NEW YORK (AP) — If this was Davis won that fight by
about trading insults, Ger- unanimous decision, end-
vonta Davis might not be ing a streak of stoppages
the better man this time. that began in 2015. Rome-
Rolando Romero can talk ro said Cruz hit Davis easily
and has been doing plen- and believes the Baltimore
ty of it leading into their native will be target prac-
match Saturday night, pro- tice for his power punches.
fanely poking fun at every- “There’s no way I can miss,”
thing from the quality of Romero said. “He has a
Davis’ resume to the size of big-ass head.”
his head. Both fighters are promoted
When it comes to trad- by Mayweather Promo-
ing punches, Davis insists it tions, where Davis has long
will be a different story in been the big star, consid-
a heated lightweight title ered a worthy successor
matchup of unbeatens in to Floyd Mayweather. He’ll
Brooklyn. have to make room — or
“I feel as though the talk- move out of the way — for
ing is over. The time is now,” Romero if the challenger
Davis said. fights as good as he talks.
He has been doing this Romero’s martial arts back-
much longer, not just at ground has given him a
the highest levels of boxing, reputation of an awk-
but in the sport itself. When Gervonta Davis celebrates during a WBA Super Lightweight world championship boxing match ward fighter in the way he
it’s time to stop jabbering against Mario Barrios on Sunday, June 27, 2021, in Atlanta. Associated Press punches, but Davis just sees
and start jabbing, he be- an undeveloped one.
lieves there will be a big Romero (14-0, 12 KOs) con- only took up the sport after that’s been doing this since Mastering the microphone
difference against a fighter tends he did it by beating switching from judo at 17, they were 17. Like, come helped Romero land a spot
who’s had only about half up on smaller fighters, or giving Davis a significant on, bro. It’s time to show in the main event of a pay-
as many professional fights. carefully chosen oppo- advantage in ring rounds. that I’m one of the ones.” per-view after just 14 fights,
The bout headlines a nents who lack his power. Davis seemed frustrated They were scheduled to but experience isn’t re-
Showtime pay-per-view Romero has boasted that enough by Romero to push fight in December before quired to hype a fight.
card and the first big box- he will knock out Davis in his opponent off the stage Romero was taken off the It makes a big difference
ing event back in Brooklyn one round. He didn’t back at their weigh-in Friday, card while authorities in- when the words stop and
since the pandemic start- away from that when forcing the fighters to be vestigated accusations of the punching starts. Once
ed more than two years asked what he envisions separated. sexual assault against him. that’s done, Davis is confi-
ago. Barclays Center is happening Saturday night. “There’s definitely different No charges were filed. dent there won’t be any-
where Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) “Tank flatlined on the levels when you come to Romero claims they were thing left for Romero to talk
won his first title in 2017, and ground,” he said. the sport of boxing,” Davis supposed to share the about.
he has gone on to draw big Davis seems alternately said. “There’s people that ring before that, but Davis “What we’re going to find
crowds from coast to coast annoyed and amused by play with boxing and there’s twice backed out of plans out on Saturday night is
while winning titles in three the antics of the 26-year- people that’ve been do- to spar with him. He said that, the person who’s
different weight classes. old Romero, who is on the ing this since they were Davis is scared of him and dishing it, can they take
At 27, he has built himself brink of the biggest night kids. You’ve got somebody believes he saw more fear it?” Mayweather Promo-
into one of the biggest of a boxing career that that’s been doing this since against Isaac Cruz, the re- tions CEO Leonard Ellerbe
names in boxing, though isn’t even 10 years old. He they were 7 and somebody placement opponent Da- said.q

Country star Blake Shelton named Indy 500 grand marshal

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Blake Shelton also collaborated grand marshal of the Indy

Shelton will lend his voice to with Indianapolis 500 rookie 500 Snake Pit, a traditional
the Indianapolis 500 as the and seven-time NASCAR party zone in the track’s in-
grand marshal for Sunday’s champion -- Jimmie John- field.
race. son on the driver’s helmet O’Neil will hype the party
The country music star design for the race at Indi- from the Snake Pit stage
and coach on NBC’s “The anapolis Motor Speedway. before the green flag
Voice,” Shelton will give the “Blake is a country music waves.
traditional command for powerhouse and good “Top Gun: Maverick” actor
drivers to report to their cars friend of motorsports fans Miles Teller had previously
during the official pre-race everywhere,” IMS President been announced as the
ceremonies. Shelton has Doug Boles said. “For both honorary starter.
a lengthy association with spectators at the track Scott Dixon smashed the
auto racing and served and everyone watching Indianapolis 500 pole-win-
last weekend as the grand on NBC, his winning energy ning record with a qualify-
marshal for NASCAR’s All- will be a perfect fit for the ing run of more than 234 Blake Shelton performs before the NASCAR All-Star auto race
Star race. intensity of ‘The Greatest mph. at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, May 22,
He also played a pre-race Spectacle of Racing.’” He will lead the 33-car field 2022.
concert at Texas Motor WWE global ambassador to the green flag Sunday.q Associated Press
Speedway. Titus O’Neil will serve as