Mike Tyson offered only one caveat when waxing lyrical about Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis to reporters this week, ahead of his Mike Tyson Invitational amateur event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Davis appeared set to become one of boxing‘s most important figures with rising box office numbers and reliable ticket sales across numerous key markets in the United States, including a thumping knockout win over Ryan Garcia in 2023.
However, the diminutive fighter has not boxed for a year — since his disputed draw against Lamont Roach Jr. Since then, he was linked with a crossover bout involving the internet sensation Jake Paul, but Netflix — or, indeed, Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions — nixed the show after civil and legal issues came to light regarding allegations of domestic violence against ‘Tank’.
That hiatus may be over, with Davis linked with a summer return against former opponent Isaac Cruz, with a rematch possible, per reports.
For Tyson, there is no question over the Baltimore boxer’s excellence, however, he openly wonders whether he’s as serious today about the sport, as he used to be.
“He’s a great fighter especially when he’s serious about it, and I don’t know if he’s as serious as he used to be.”
Tyson continued: “When he’s serious, he was a helluva fighter and nobody came close.”
Davis has long been associated with Shakur Stevenson, one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in the sport today, and a boxer whom is riding tremendous momentum of late with back-to-back victories over William Zepeda and, most impressively, Teofimo Lopez, in the last 12 months.
A match-up between Davis and Stevenson is one of the best bouts boxing could possibly book.
“He’s the only one I’d give a chance against Shakur,” Tyson said. “They’re scary fighters [Stevenson and others who box like him] because they’re sophisticated, but Tank is a force of nature. He’s the f****** man.
“It’ll be interesting, if Shakur handled this guy like Lopez… this is when I know it’s over for you if you fight Shakur [puts his gloves up], and you’re looking at him. That’s how I know it’s over. You need to bring constant action. Be on him constantly. Otherwise he’ll pick you apart.”
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