Gervonta Davis is gearing up for his 31st fight.
The big puncher from Baltimore has knocked out 28 of 30 opponents in his campaign so far, staking his claim as one of the most clinical finishers in the sport.
Since being elevated to WBA Lightweight World Champion, ‘Tank’ has defended the belt once with an eighth round stoppage of previously undefeated Frank Martin. Talks to unify with the IBF Champion Vasiliy Lomachenko fell apart when the Ukrainian said he wouldn’t fight again this year, and negotiations with WBC titleholder Shakur Stevenson didn’t get far at all.
Instead, Davis will defend his belt against super-featherweight champion and former amateur rival Lamont Roach Jr in Brooklyn on March 1. At the launch press conference for the bout, Davis said that he would retire at the end of 2025, just 31-years-old.
“After next year I’m out of it. Out of this sport.”
Fans may or may not believe the pound-for-pound star. If they do, they will be extremely disappointed given all of the match-ups out there still to be made, not least the unifications mentioned above. There’s little doubt that, if he ups his competition and fights on, Davis could be the biggest star and perhaps the best fighter in boxing.
As it stands, ‘Tank’ is a three-division champion with statement wins over Ryan Garcia, Isaac Cruz and Leo Santa Cruz.
On the Roach fight – of which many fans are underwhelmed – Davis did his best to talk it up.
“I’m excited to be a part of this and come March the 1st it will be a great event. Right now I’m not really big on getting into it, I’m out of it right now but come March the 1st it will be the same results.”
“Even though he’s at a smaller weight class he definitely has the skills … People don’t really know him but he definitely has the skills, definitely a top opponent.”
The respect, however, went out of the window in an exchange with Roach when he told him that his loved ones best not watch what happens.
“I promise you, you better leave the females at homes. And the kids. On my mother. Now watch this.”
