Gervonta Davis, Jarrett Hurd, David Benavidez: Showtime's top talents pack a punch

By James Dielhenn

There is an up-and-coming roster of boxing talent coming out of the United States, under the Showtime banner, and they could make a major impact sooner than you think.

Showtime's president of sports and event programming Stephen Espinoza exclusively told Sky Sports about the prodigies that his organisation is nurturing...

Image: Espinoza (L) and Showtime were influential in Floyd Mayweather's late career

Stephen Espinoza on British boxing

The thing that UK boxing has going for it: there is an excitement and a fervour among boxing fans. The gate and the attendance make it worthwhile for American fighters to come to the UK. You can’t overstate the importance of ticket selling. When UK fighters are supported by healthy live gates, it makes it easy to lure American fighters over.

Gervonta Davis

A protégé of Floyd Mayweather's, 23-year-old Davis has already won the IBF super-featherweight title, then defended it in London against Liam Walsh. Davis' next fight is for the WBA belt.

Key stats: Gervonta Davis

  • Lightweight
  • Maryland, USA
  • 19-0 record
  • 23 years old
A fighter that is somewhat familiar is Davis. He fought in the UK last year. He is one of the most exciting fighters in the sport today.
Stephen Espinoza

Jarrett Hurd

Huge at the 154lbs weight (now also home to Kell Brook), Hurd has already unified the IBF and WBA titles by beating Erislandy Lara.

Key stats: Jarrett Hurd

  • Super-welterweight
  • Maryland, USA
  • 22-0 record
  • 27 years old
Hurd is at the very start of his career, and is willing to go anywhere. He is someone who, stylistically, would be embraced by the UK audience.
Stephen Espinoza

David Benavidez

The Mexican-American talent has already won, and defended, the WBC title and remains a quietly improving threat at super-middleweight.

Advertisement

Key stats: David Benavidez

  • Super-middleweight
  • Arizona, USA
  • 20-0 record
  • 21 years old
The UK has a good history in the 168lbs division, where David holds the world title. He is a fan-favourite, and an action fighter. He would be welcomed and embraced in the UK.
Stephen Espinoza

Errol Spence Jr

Best known in the UK for taking Kell Brook's IBF title last year, Spence Jr has since stopped Lamont Peterson too.

Also See:

Key stats: Errol Spence Jr

  • Welterweight
  • Texas, USA
  • 23-0 record
  • 28 years old
Based on last weekend, you may see Spence Jr back in the UK. There was a back-and-forth with Kell Brook, his old rival, who I was surprised to see in Vegas. Maybe there’s another fight there, in the UK or the US, possibly at 154lbs. It seems there is unfinished business.
Stephen Espinoza

Mikey Garcia

Garcia has stunningly won world titles in four divisions - two of which came in 2017, alongside a notable win over Adrien Broner.

Key stats: Mikey Garcia

  • Super-lightweight
  • California, USA
  • 38-0 record
  • 30 years old
Garcia has discussed a UK fight in the past. Assuming Mikey stays at 135lbs or 140lbs, there are British fighters that make sense for him.
Stephen Espinoza
Outbrain