WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis has been linked with unification showdowns against both Shakur Stevenson (WBC) and Vasyl Lomachenko (IBF) throughout 2024 but it seems as though neither of those contests will take place. Instead, the latest whispers suggested that Tank would move up to super-lightweight for an instant world title shot, although those rumours have now been shut down.
Davis was upgraded from WBA (Regular) champion to full world champion last year and has appeared just once since, stopping Frank Martin with a knockout of the year contender in a first defence of the belt that re-established beliefs that he is the man to beat at 135lbs.
Yet, despite the allure of the apparently illusive clashes with Stevenson and Lomachenko, recent rumours were that the Baltimore-born knockout-artist would step up to 140lbs and challenge for Jose ‘Rayo’ Valenzuela’s WBA super-lightweight crown, after he defeated Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz for the strap in August.
Those rumours were seemingly confirmed by world-renowned trainer Ricky Funez, who revealed that Tank would face a Robert Garcia fighter, in an interview with Pro Boxing Fans.
“I know who it is. It’s a secret, it’s going to be out. It is not public yet but it will be in November and I think that it is going to be in Las Vegas against one of Robert Garcia’s fighters.”
However, Robert Garcia has informed ES News that Valenzuela will not be fighting Davis next, explaining that Rayo will not fight until February and that Isaac Cruz is expected to be the next opponent, as he has a right to invoke a rematch clause following his defeat.
“[They are] not [fighting] November 2nd. If they hold the fight for February then we are in.,
“It’s a good fight, Tank is a bada** man. Tank is a bad mother****er but that is the challenge when you are a world champion, you want to unify, you want to f***ing defend your title and you want to go against the best. So that is a fight that I would love and I am pretty sure that Rayo would love it too but we would have to go through Pitbull [Cruz] first, unless Pitbull steps aside. I think that he wants the rematch.”
“I would like the rematch and then Tank but we can go straight into Tank – why not?”
With all three lightweight champions looking elsewhere, Davis is now limited in terms of who he could face on November 2nd. At present, WBA super-featherweight champion Lamont Roach and recent Stevenson opponent, Edwin De Los Santos, are the names that seem possible. Although, Roach would be coming up from a lower weight-class and De Los Santos is coming off of a loss so both fights would likely be criticized.
Alternatively, one man who has been calling for a showdown with Davis is undefeated 22-year-old Floyd Schofield, ranked #2 with the WBA, but his father and trainer has claimed that Davis will never step into the ring with his son.
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