In this video interview caught by Fight Hub TV, Marcos Villegas asks Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe about his intentions of having Gervonta Davis challenge Vasyl Lomachenko and why they’re not making that fight a priority.
Props to Marcos and the other reporters for not trying to let Ellerbe off the hook with a generic, evasive answer...
Ellerbe on if he thinks Gervonta Davis will eventually face Vasyl Lomachenko:
“If he’s around...I mean, we gonna do what we’re doing. If the two meet, great. If they don’t, it’s okay. Gervonta Davis will be the biggest star in all of boxing.”
On why they’re not making a Lomachenko fight a priority:
“Our priorities are Floyd Mayweather’s priorities. And we’re gonna continue to elevate our young fighters, create opportunities. Our priorities aren’t Top Rank’s priorities. You know, they’re on the fast track, they gotta rush [Lomachenko] — he’s 32, 31. Yeah, they’re gonna rush him...[Davis] is 22-years-old, he just won the world title last January.
“You know, [Davis] still got a lot to learn about the sport, a lot about being world champion and responsibilities that come along with that, and getting better as a fighter...The other kid [Lomachenko], I don’t know their plans are and it’s none of my business. Wish him the best, though.”
Another reporter then asked Ellerbe if he’s more concerned with making Davis the biggest star rather than having him actually prove he’s the best fighter in the ring. The reporter contrasts Davis with Tevin Farmer, who openly says he wants to fight the best, including Davis:
“Tevin Farmer’s doing what Tevin Farmer got to do. And he can continue to do that, wish him nothing but the best but at the end of the day, in the big scheme of things [it’s more profitable to be a star]...
“What is Tevin Farmer bringing to the table? What people [want to see that fight]? What people?...Tevin Farmer’s on what level?!...Has he been world champion yet?!...I wish the young man the best, all he has to do is continue to win. I think, personally, he’s a terrific, young fighter...If he happens to be one of the guys that we’re fighting, so be it.”