WBA Super Featherweight Champion Gervonta Davis Is a Man on a Mission

The state of boxing is as exciting as ever thanks to a new class of talent that’s changing the way we watch the fight game. On one hand, you have fighters who have mastered the art of precision punching, such as Vasyl Lomachenko and Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin. Then there are the power-punching boxers who can end another fighter’s night with just one punch, as WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder does with plenty of his opponents. Then you have fighters with the complete package—showmanship, insane power-punching capabilities and a slick defensive style—such as WBA flyweight champion Gervonta Davis. 

The Baltimore native has quickly risen to superstardom, scoring knockout wins against elite fighters such as Liam Walsh, José Pedraza, Jesús Cuellar and, most recently, Ricardo Núñezen route to becoming the WBA featherweight champion of the world. His knockout-to-win ratio stands at 95.5 percent. To put it in simpler terms, whenever Davis fights, you better stay glued to the TV because he is prone to ending fights quicker than a vintage Mike Tyson bout. Under the guidance of one of boxing’s greatest fighters of all time, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, and equipped with the resources of Mayweather’s promotions empire, Davis is in position to become the face that runs the sport of boxing. 

As Davis (aka “Tank”) continues to weigh his options for his next opponent, he took some time out to sit down with us and talk about boxing, future business endeavors and his life outside the ring. 

Recently, you scored a successful second-round knockout against Ricardo Núñez. How were you able to maintain your game plan and not get rattled?

Gervonta Davis: The game plan was to open him up and try to make him make mistakes. In the first round, he wasn’t really opening up, so I used my power to do that. Then in the second round, that’s where it just took off.

Rumors suggest Tevin Farmer could be your next opponent. How do you feel about that?

Davis: It’ll definitely be a big fight. We’re actually trying to work on that and trying to see if we can have the fight in my hometown before the year is out. So, hopefully, we can get him, but if not, then on to the next fighter.

What would be your ideal fight card? What’s your favorite arena to fight at?

Davis: All depends on the location. If it was in New York, I would love to fight in the Barclays Center, and if it was L.A., it would have to be in the Staples Center.

Jumping into business relationships, there have been recent instances where frustrations have been expressed to Floyd Mayweather regarding how your career is being managed. How were you able to not let your frustration stop your progression, not only as a fighter but as a businessman in this lucrative world of boxing?

Davis: Me and Floyd have a great relationship. It works perfectly because he’s been through what I’m going through right now as far as making better decisions with my money and my career, period. So I think it actually works out best for me because I know I have someone who is truthful on top of the fact that he’s a Hall of Famer. I believe he and his team have been helping me out a lot, and our relationship, his advice, and gems he drops on me are great because he’s willing to help me get to the next level.

How has having him in your corner helped you mature as a fighter in and outside of the ring on the business side of sports?

Davis: It’s not solely on him that’s helping me mature. I feel I’ve been maturing on my own by realizing there are certain things I don’t want to do only for the sake of me and my career. I am doing things with a purpose because there’s a valid reason behind it. I have a daughter, and that calms me down a lot and brings me focus on how to be a great father and provider for her. 

Nowadays, some boxers are putting their purse earnings into investments. You have Anthony Joshua investing in BXR boxing gym. Have you thought about being part of this realm? If so, what investments would you make?

Davis: Yes, in fact, I actually opened my own promotion and it’s called GTD Promotions. I’m about to start fighting some younger fighters that are under me. In addition, I am getting into the trucking business. I am planning to buy my first two trucks, so I am just trying to get my feet wet with that venture and start running it from the ground up.

Who do you currently listen to in the music scene?

Davis: I’ve been listening to Polo G, J Guapo, Pop Smoke, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Future.

If you could get any artist to perform live for an in-ring entrance, who would it be and why?

Davis: If I could get any artist, it would be Jay-Z, “Run This Town.” It would be perfect, especially if I’m fighting at the Barclays in the hometown of Hov. 

Give me one word you would use to describe your legacy in and out of the ring once your career is all over.

Davis: Greatness. I want the world to recognize how great of a fighter I was and to be regarded as one of the greatest of all time. 

The boxing and sports worlds should start making waves for an unmovable “tank” who is destined to have his name mentioned in the GOAT conversations many years from now.

Start getting used to hearing about the power-punching freight train known as Gervonta Davis. 

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