Gervonta Davis is yet to taste defeat in 30 fights, and has knocked out 28 of the men who tried to serve it to him.
Having only heard the final bell twice in his campaign, ‘Tank’ Davis is understandably one of the biggest draws in the sport. His fan-friendly style of being content to give away some rounds as he stalks his prey and capitalises on the smallest of errors makes him one of the most discussed fighters on the planet.
The one criticism fans may have is that the big puncher from Baltimore has not been in as many high-level match-ups as possible, and goes through frustrating periods of inactivity.
One top contender calling for the fight is Keyshawn Davis, American amateur standout turned confident and undefeated pro. Speaking to Mill City Boxing, the 25-year-old known as ‘The Businessman’ said he was confident that he stops ‘Tank.’
“I feel like I’m gonna get all my respect when I knock Tank out. This is not going the distance, I’mma knock him out … I’m me. That’s why I believe it. I got that one-punch s**t. Stop playing with me. People are like, ‘oh he’s cocky, he’s a kid.’ Okay. Bro a great fighter at the end of the day. He’s nice, but I’m nice too … What do I bring that he don’t bring? That’s kinda like the game plan.”
On the prospect of ‘Tank’ retiring before he gets the chance to step through the ropes with him – he has stated he will hang up the gloves at the end of this year – Keyshawn said he would accept missing out on the fight if so, but to send a contract if not.
“Take care of business. Happy retirement. If you retire I ain’t gonna f**k with you no more. You’re done, cool. But until you do that, I’m on your ass boy … If you’re gonna fight me, bro, just send me a contract … You did say you’re gonna smack me, too, so I’m still waiting on that when you see me … I want him to stand on those words.”
Davis gets his world title tilt on Valentines’ Day, facing WBO World Lightweight Champion Denys Berinchyk. Though that will be just his 12th fight, his promoter Bob Arum expects big things, telling Boxing News:
“I told the kid this himself, if he continues developing the way he has, he will be the face of boxing. He reminds me a lot of ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, who was the face of boxing in his time.”
Winning the belt on February 14 will be a major step towards fighting ‘Tank’ – who defends his WBA belt against Lamont Roach Jr on March 1 – given the fight would then be a unification.
