Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is one of the premiere attractions in the sport of boxing.
A stellar stoppage win over Ryan Garcia this year topping the bill of an extremely lucrative event cemented him as such, although a prison stint following dulled that shine.
There’s no question though that the 29-0 puncher is one of the most thrilling ring attractions today, and has shown it time and again since 2013.
Davis picked up the WBA Regular lightweight belt against Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2019 and has defended it four times since. The full world title, or ‘super’, has passed between Vasily Lomachenko, Teofimo Lopez, George Kambosos Jr and Devin Haney in that time.
With a move up to super-lightweight to challenge for the WBC title against Regis Prograis, Haney has recently confirmed that he will be dropping all lightweight belts with no intention of returning to 135.
With the titles scattered, the division is opened up. Shakur Stevenson has already won the vacant WBC, whilst Lomachenko and Kambosos Jr are expected to battle it out for the IBF in the first half of next year.
‘Tank’, as the sanctioning body’s Regular Champion, will presumably be elevated to WBA Super Champion, unless he is made to fight another top contender for the honour.
Either way, the Baltimore boxer is in prime position to be a full world champion in the lightweight division very soon. Responding to the news, however, he said in a now-deleted post “I don’t want that s**t.”
Gervonta Davis reacts to the news that he will likely be upgraded from WBA ‘regular’ belt holder to become WBA lightweight world champion after Devin Haney vacated… pic.twitter.com/8PBxfSrCRc
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) November 30, 2023
His motivation behind the sentiment is unclear, but could be interpreted that he doesn’t want to be gifted a title without hearing a bell.
Davis is expected to return to action early next year, although no opponent has been announced and the previous frontrunner of Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz – a rematch – has apparently been taken off the table.
