On Friday night, May 22, 2015, undefeated professional boxer, Gervonta “Tank” Davis (Baltimore, Maryland/pro record: 10-0, 9 KOs) returns to the ring against Alberto “Ironman” Mora Zuniga (Mexico/pro record: 5-3-0, 1 KO) at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Davis’ bout on the “Rumble At The Claridge” fight card is scheduled for eight rounds, and will be presented by King’s Promotion, in association with DeeLee Promotions. The main event on May 22 will be Juan Dominguez (Brooklyn, NY/pro record: 18-0, 12 KOs) vs. Marco Antonio Macias (Mexico/pro record: 26-15, 13 KOs). No television information has been announced for the May 22 fight.
In his previous fight on February 20, 2015, Davis defeated Puerto Rico’s Israel “Macho” Suarez (Puerto Rico/pro record: 4-5-2, 1 KO) at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, winning by knockout at 2:13 of Round 1. Moments into the fight, the twenty-year-old Davis dropped Suarez with a vicious barrage of punches, ending the contest after just 47 seconds.
Davis wants to continue his success in New Jersey. He stated, “I’m excited for my first eight round fight on Friday night at the Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City. I’m fighting at 130 lbs just to see how my power and speed feels at that weight. The other night, I ran from East Baltimore to West Baltimore and my wind was great. I know there are a lot of people coming up from Baltimore to see me fight on Friday. I will be ready for whatever my opponent tries to do.”
Gervonta said this fight has special meaning for him. “I’m dedicating this fight to Valerie Barnes, who recently died from cancer.
She was my best friend’s mother. Justin “Fiddle” Carter is like a brother to me, and his family is my family. His mom treated me like her son, and I appreciate everything she did for me. I’m wearing pink for this fight and her name will be written on my trunks. On fight night, my team will wear ‘Fight Cancer’ t-shirts in her memory.”
The city of Baltimore garnered national headlines this month, in the aftermath of the controversial death of Freddie Gray. Citizen unrest, rioting, and looting necessitated the help of the National Guard to restore order and stabilize the city. Davis said, “My neighborhood was in the middle of it all. Lots of people in my city are angry about things they see every day. I want to show people that they can work out their frustrations and do positive things with their lives. This fight on May 22 is also dedicated to my people in the city of Baltimore.”
Davis’ longtime boxing trainer Calvin Ford said, “Within the last month, Gervonta participated in peaceful youth gatherings, school visits, and lots of community events. Councilman Nick Mosby has given support to our team and he participates in many of Gervonta’s endeavors. We recently had a big event at Upton Boxing Gym. Gervonta had a sparring session with Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and she presented him with a community award. He is doing the right things to become a real leader for his community, and I’m proud of him.”
Ford addressed the upcoming fight. He said, “I do have some concerns going into this fight. Gervonta is fighting his first eight-rounder, and we are trying the 130 lbs weight class to see how he performs. My sources tell me that our opponent, Alberto Mora Zuniga, is a scrappy fighter. He has lots of experience, and he’s looking forward to challenging an undefeated fighter. He also has several wins by knockout in Mexico that aren’t listed on his pro record. We’ve had multiple distractions and interruptions in this camp because of the events in Baltimore, but we’ve worked through them. We have a very effective game plan. Gervonta just needs to stay focused leading into this fight, and we will be victorious.”
Davis added, “I’ll be ready on May 22. I want media and the fans to keep me in mind as a top prospect for 2015. For those of you coming to the fight, you will see me put on a great show. Thank you to my manager Al Haymon and promoter Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions for allowing me to fight on Friday’s card. Thank you to my team, Shoe City, Yekim Customs, Tvche, Everlast, Nike Boxing, Athlete Performance Solutions, Baltimore Parks and Recreation, Upton Boxing Center, Rashaan Brave, Arli Lima, Trevor Holman of Holman Photos, Ethika, and Councilman Nick Mosby for all of their support. On Friday night, I will be 11-0. Keep supporting me, and I’ll fight for you.”
General admission tickets ($50) to Davis’ fight on Friday, May 22 can be purchased in Baltimore by calling (410) 622 6034. Tickets are also available online at www.claridge.eventbrite.com, with ticket prices listed at $100 (VIP), $75 (Ringside) and $50 (General Admission), plus taxes and fees. Weigh-ins on May 21 will be open to the public, and will take place on the 3rd Floor of the Claridge Hotel. On fight night, May 22, the doors of the Celebrity Theater (located within the Claridge Hotel) will open at 6:00 pm, with the first fight scheduled for 6:45 pm. The Claridge Hotel is located at 123 S Indiana Ave, Atlantic City, NJ, 08401. Self-parking is $12, and Valet parking is $15. The Claridge Hotel phone is (844) 224-7386 or (609) 487-4444.
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