We are currently just three and one-half weeks away from August 26th’s historic Mayweather vs. McGregor pay-per-view fight card, and just moments ago we got out first glimpse of what the night’s undercard is poised to look like.
Unlike MMA events, who usually announce the final bout order and card about 6 weeks out, Showtime has seemingly waited until the last minute to make the night’s full-card official.
The Australian media has the scoop:
… But three weeks out from the night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas the list of bouts is starting to come together. And as expected there’s no other MMA v boxing fights — and each clash mooted so far features a man that’s already signed to Mayweather’s promotional company.
Gervonta Davis is likely to face Roman Martinez. Baltimore-born Davis has become one of the biggest stars in boxing after a meteoric rise in the past 18 months.
Still just 22, the fast-talking super featherweight champ stunned Jose Pedraza in Brooklyn in January, before following that with a knockout of Liam Walsh.
The heavy-handed star, dubbed by some as “Mini Mike Tyson”, is now 18-0 with 17 knockouts, and has the whole sport talking.
Davis, who is a part of Mayweather Promotions, always seemed set to appear on the undercard for what will be the richest fight in history.
However, his choice of opponent may rankle with some.
Martinez is a former super featherweight champ himself — but hasn’t won a fight since beating Orlando Salido in April, 2015.
The 34-year-old then drew a rematch with the veteran Mexican, before a brutal fifth-round knockout to dazzling Vasyl Lomachenko.
But that fight was last June — during which time Davis has won a world title and defended it.
Davis will be the heavy favourite for the fight, and it will likely serve as a tune-up to allow fellow American Tevin Farmer time to recover from a hand injury.
Shawn Porter is expected to face Thomas Dulorme.
Porter is coming off a stoppage win against Berto in April this year while Dulorme — who is part of the Mayweather stable — last featured on the undercard of the James DeGale-Badou Jack fight in Brooklyn where he defeated Brian Jones.
Swedish super middleweight champ Jack will also fight, although his opponent remains unknown. Jack was in talks to fight Nathan Cleverly — but the WBA have ordered the Welshman to take his mandatory defence.
British Commonwealth Games gold medallist Savannah Marshall will also make her debut on the bill.
