Boxing in 2019: Top 5 bouts to kickstart the new year

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Manny Pacquiao (L) and Adrien Broner face off during a press conference at Gotham Hall in preparation for their upcoming match on November 19, 2018 in New York City. The match is set to take place on January 19, 2019 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 20: Gervonta Davis poses for members of the media at the weigh-ins for the April 21st Showtime Championship Boxing card at the Barclays Center on April 20, 2018, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Edward Diller/Getty Images) /

Gervonta Davis vs. Abner Mares (Saturday, Feb. 8 on Showtime)

Gervonta Davis (20-0, 19 KOs) is one of boxing’s most promising young stars, but he faces the biggest hurdle of his career when he meets former titleholder Abner Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs) on Saturday, Feb. 2 on Showtime. Davis is the WBA super featherweight titlist, and he’s only 24 years old. Mares is the veteran at 33 years old, but he still has the ability of a champion.

Davis was inactive in 2018 only fighting once, but Mares is a big step up in competition. His biggest wins came against Jose Pedraza in 2017 and Jesus Cuellar in his last bout. Mares poses a serious threat to Davis’s unbeaten status.

Mares’ record is deceptive. Two of his losses came in competitive contests against Leo Santa Cruz. Jhonny Gonzalez knocked him out in 2013, but that looked like a fluke. Mares was able to hang with Santa Cruz which bodes well for his chances against Davis.

The televised undercard features over-the-hill veteran Ishe Smith (29-10, 12 KOs) against young Erickson Lubin (19-1, 14 KOs) who has talent but is still an unknown quantity. Lubin was an electric 18-0 when he challenged Jermell Charlo. The fight ended in surprising fashion when Charlo knocked him out in one round. Lubin’s trying to rebuild his career and regain the traction he had before losing to Charlo.

Smith has never been knocked out, but he’s a 40-year-old fighting a 23-year-old. His chances of winning are slim, but his cautious boxing style could give Lubin problems. Regardless, it’s an interesting undercard bout with significant names.

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