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Baltimore’s well-known boxing figure Gervonta “Tank” Davis has gotten the nod to jet off to Paris, but his fists won’t be doing the talking this time around.

Taking on an advisory role, the champ will lend his heavyweight experience to Team USA’s hopefuls at the Paris Olympic Games.

WBAL-TV reports Davis, who’s been grappling with the conditions of his probation stemming from a 2020 hit-and-run, got the judicial thumbs-up for this transatlantic trip.

GERVONTA "TANK

Meanwhile, Team USA, featuring eight boxers set to make their Olympic debut, will soak up tactics from the Baltimore brawler – including Maryland’s own Jahmal Harvey.

Davis, 29, is slated to be in France from July 19th to August 12th, navigating his role in a boxing format that’s worlds apart from his usual knock-out-or-bust style, which, as per WBAL-TV, has no place in the amateur ring where every second counts and bouts are a brisk three rounds long.

Isaac Cruz catapulted his career from a middle-of-the-pack contender into a heralded commodity in 2021 when he came in as a late replacement opponent and gave knockout artist Gervonta Davis all he could handle in a close decision loss.

“Pitbull” proved that a fighter can evolve into a star even in defeat, and the performance led to four straight appearances as a co-featured attraction on pay-per-view cards, the most recent one in March being an eighth-round stoppage against Rolando Romero to capture his first world title.

Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) will be showcased again on a mega card when he defends his WBA junior welterweight title for the first time against Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs) on Aug. 3 as the co-main event to Riyadh Season’s debut event in the United States.

Gervonta Davis

The show will take place at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on DAZN, ESPN, and PPV.com. It will be headlined by the junior middleweight matchup between Terence Crawford and Israil Madrimov, along with a performance by rap star Eminem.

Just like Eminem is known for a hit list of cult classics, the 26-year-old Mexican fan favorite Cruz is quickly becoming known for his cult following.

“I’m really happy about how fans come to see me,” Cruz told BoxingScene. “My hard work and dedication have led me to where I am now, where the fandom in Los Angeles can feel that I am the people’s main event. I will continue to work hard, make sure I keep earning that and give the fans what they want on fight night.

“I give everything I have every day in training camp so I can perform at my peak every time I am in front of the fans. I leave my heart in the ring every time, and boxing fans see and feel it. That’s why they love me … Whether it is one round or 12 rounds, I will come prepared and make sure the fight is a spectacle.”

The 5-foot, 4-inch power-punching Cruz has been billed as the ”Mexican Mike Tyson” and pegged as the next great Mexican pay-per-view draw after Canelo Alvarez. Cruz said he’s ready to parlay “Pitbullmania” and start headlining his own PPV shows moving forward.

Gervonta Davis

“I feel that I have the right tools and capabilities, physically and mentally, to take on that responsibility if that’s what’s coming next for me,” said Cruz. “I think I’m ready for any challenge that comes in front of me. I don’t fear anyone.

“I trust my management team to decide what’s next for me.”

Cruz is signed to Manny Pacquiao’s promotional company. Lifelong boxing executive Sean Gibbons serves as Cruz’s manager, and Premier Boxing Champions head Al Haymon advises Cruz and has showcased him on PBC shows ever since the fighter made his United States debut in 2019.

Cruz’s wins against Thomas Mattice, Diego Magdaleno and Francisco Vargas set him up as a credible challenger to Davis. After going toe-to-toe with Tank, Cruz has since bested Yuriorkis Gamboa, Eduardo Ramirez, Giovanni Cabrera, and Romero.

“I don’t know if [Davis is] afraid or not to face me in a rematch, but what I do know, with the right training camp and right preparation, if I face Gervonta again, I can give him a big surprise,” said Cruz.

If Cruz beats the 25-year-old up-and-coming southpaw Valenzuela in front of what should be a significant Mexican crowd, roars for a rematch clash against Davis will only get louder.

Gervonta Davis

“Life is all about challenges,” said Cruz. “If Valenzuela feels like he can be a champion, he has to take challenges with the toughest guy out there. [Valenzuela] is one of the toughest guys out there, too, and that gives me a lot of respect. I’m welcoming the challenge. He’s a worthy opponent.”

Cruz’s master plan is to participate in title unification fights, with 140-pound belt holder Teofimo Lopez Jr. leading the bunch, and then resume his career once again as a lightweight.

“I want to stay at 140 pounds for my two-year plan, and I may go back down to 135 pounds. But for now, I am a 140-pounder,” said Cruz.

“I want to face the other three champions to unify the division. It all depends on who is up to the challenge. That’s what it will take for me to get to the next level and become the next supper PPV star.”

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.

Gervonta Davis and Vasiliy Lomachenko look to be heading towards an intriguing two-belt lightweight clash.

When Devin Haney vacated all four titles in the division Lomachenko picked up the vacant IBF strap with a win over George Kambosos Jr. ‘Tank’ Davis was automatically elevated by the WBA to Full Champion and sealed that status with an impressive knockout over previously-undefeated Frank Martin.

Gervonta Davis

All is now set for the unification, which has been confirmed as in talks by ‘Loma’s promoter Bob Arum.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, esteemed trainer Robert Garcia said his prediction would be very different five years ago.

“I think five or six years ago I would pick Lomachenko right away. Right now it might be too hard. I think at his age and his size, because he’s not that big of a lightweight, I think I have to favour Tank. His power is just unbelievable.”

Garcia – who currently trains pound-for-pound star Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez among others – praised the Ukrainian but ultimately couldn’t look by the extreme power of Davis which has put away 28 of 30 opponents so far.

“Loma’s got great skills man. Loma’s the one that will not be afraid of him. Loma’s the one that will be in great shape. If he knows how to win the first few rounds and then fights smart the rest of the fight then there’s a chance he could pull it off. He’s a very smart man, but I just think Tank’s power is too much.

Gervonta Davis and Floyd Mayweather

Loma’s so skilful, man, that he could do it for twelve rounds, but when you have someone like Tank in front of you, it’s not gonna be easy. It won’t be easy.”

Talks are set to continue for the 135 unification with a date pencilled in for November. The winner will be expected to move straight into another championship clash with Shakur Stevenson.

As a two-time Olympic gold medal winner, Claressa Shields had some of her fondest boxing memories from the Olympic Games.

So as far as the Paris 2024 Olympics go, who does “The GWOAT” like to win gold? The undisputed middleweight women’s world champion is going with Jajaira Gonzalez, a 27-year-old from Glendora, California.

“Jajaira Gonzalez is the best, she’s like a sister to me,” Shields recently told SportsHandle.com. “We’ve traveled the world together. I believe her and Morelle McCane had some of the best fights back in 2016 to make the Olympics. Morelle made it by a hair, but Jajaira has been around for a long time.”

Claressa Shields fighting for gender equality for women boxers – KXAN Austin

 

And through that time, Shields believes that Gonzalez has gained invaluable ring experience that will pay off in the Olympics.

“She’s been in the ring with the best, like Queen Underwood and the girls who are now pros doing big things,” added Shields who will clash with Vanessa Joanisse for the WBC heavyweight women’s title on July 27, live on DAZN.

“I believe Jajaira has the best chance at the gold medal because of her experience,” she tacked on. “I know all of them can do it, but Jajaira has the most experience.”

Game recognizes game! Once considered the best boxer in the world, Roy Jones Jr. has solidified Gervonta Davis as the Crème de la crème of boxing right now—besides Mike Tyson, of course. The Baltimore native is coming off a spectacular eight round knockout victory over Frank Martin earlier this year. And guess what? Bigger fights are on the horizon!

The 29-year-old unbeaten WBA lightweight champion is in talks with Ukrainian boxing legend Vasyl Lomachenko for a fight later this year, which could propel him to the absolute top of the food chain. In the meantime, ‘Captain Hook’ appeared in an interview with former NBA player Stephen Jackson, where, you guessed it, Gervonta Davis was the topic.

Gervonta Davis gave Ryan

Gervonta Davis, a Chess player? Roy Jones Jr. explains

There are no conversations in this world about the best in boxing without Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, and that’s why Jackson brought him up during his chat with Jones Jr. Immediately, ‘Captain Hook’ exploded with excitement to say, “One of the best ones out there… he’s really [one of the] pound the best ones of the coup”.

Jones expanded that ‘Tank’ is not just a great puncher, he is also one of the best boxers. “Some that can punch, can’t box. He can box, he can punch, he can move laterally, he can do it left side, right side”, said the former champion. In a nutshell, Jones felt Davis can do whatever it takes to get the dub, which many others can’t.

When Jackson highlighted how Davis’ ability to set up punches has improved drastically, Jones had the same enthusiasm in his voice, as he said, “Of course, I agree with that! Because he shows discipline… He got enough shock on his punch but he knows how to set the punch up before he does it”. Jones praised the amount of patience Davis shows while setting up his bone crushing punches and the timing he delivers it with.

This led him to proclaim, “That’s the most deadly kind of guy in the world besides a Mike Tyson type guy in boxing”. He even added that Davis is no less than an expert “chess player” while in the ring, which makes him a “killer”. But the question is, will this killer instinct help Davis beat Lomachenko? Golden Boy Promotions head makes an empathetic prediction!

Gervonta Davis

Oscar De La Hoya feels the age gap will play a key role

There’s no doubt Vasyl Lomachenko is an absolute unit! The guy has titles in three weight divisions, and he can fight in both southpaw and orthodox. It will be a tough challenge for Davis to overcome, but their age gap can not be overlooked. While Davis is 29, Lomachenko is staring down the retirement barrel at 36.

Oscar De La Hoya feels the same way, who said in an interview with ES News a few days ago, “I think it’ll be a good fight, but I do think that Tank with the youth and with Loma kind of losing a step, and I don’t say that with any disrespect it just happens, it just does, father time catches up to you”. So, Oscar felt their potential fight would be the perfect time for “Tank to dethrone Lomachenko”.

Gervonta Davis has four back-to-back knockouts wins over elite level boxers, of course, Roy Jones Jr. would have high regards for the Baltimore puncher. But what happens when he eventually fights Shakur Stevenson? Will Stevenson’s defense prove too much for ‘Tank’? Or will he bulldozer through it?

Gervonta “Tank” Davis will be able to allowed to go to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after all.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Althea M. Handy on Tuesday granted a request from the World Boxing Association lightweight champion to travel from July 19 to Aug. 12 to “support and advise” Team USA boxing.

Davis, 29, now of Parkland, Florida, sought permission because he’s on probation for a hit-and-run that happened in Baltimore in 2020. The ruling came less than one week after the judge called his attorney arrogant and accused him of trying to intimidate her.

Gervonta Davis

Hunter Pruette, Davis’ attorney, argued that his client had been compliant on probation and called the opportunity to support the team a huge honor.

Pruette provided a letter from USA Boxing in support of the request.

“Given his status amongst the world’s best boxers, Mr. Davis would be a key asset in motivating and supporting our team to achieve Olympic greatness and become the number one nation in the world at this year’s Olympic Games,” Matt Johnson, high performance director for USA Boxing, wrote in a June 26 letter to Handy.

The Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office did not object to the request.

Gervonta Davis and Floyd Mayweather

Handy had repeatedly pressed Pruette for more specific information. She later ended the July 10 hearing without ruling on the request and walked off the bench.

Following the hearing, Pruette filed court documents containing more detailed information about the itinerary.

Davis grew up in West Baltimore and has a 30-0 record with 28 KOs.

According to head of Top Rank promotions, Bob Arum, his man Vasiliy Lomachenko is in negotiations to face Gervonta Davis next.

Lomachenko is a three-weight world champion and currently holds the IBF lightweight title after rolling back the years with a vintage performance against former champion George Kambosos Jr.

The Ukrainian became the first man to stop Kambosos after the towel was thrown in by the corner in the eleventh round after a series of punishing body shots.

Gervonta Davis

‘Tank’ returned to the ring last month for the first time since stopping Ryan Garcia over a year ago to face previously unbeaten American Frank Martin.

WBA Champion Davis did what he seems to always do by conceding the early rounds but applying increasing pressure to his opponent, putting them under physical and mental strain.

The Baltimore native finished his man in the eighth round when he landed an uppercut followed by a devastating straight left.

Before the fight Tank made it clear that Loma was on his hit list and now talks have started for a fight towards the end of the year,

Speaking to ES NEWS about the possible unification matchup, legendary former fighter turned promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, thinks the time is perfect for Davis to ‘dethrone’ Lomachenko.

Gervonta Davis

I think it’ll be a good fight, but I do think that Tank with the youth and with Loma kind of losing a step, and I don’t say that with any disrespect it just happens, it just does, father time catches up to you.

But I think it’s the perfect time for Tank to dethrone Lomachenko but it will be one hell of a fight.”

Another man chasing a fight with Tank is WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson who is coming off another dominant, if underwhelming, points victory over Artem Harutyunyan.

Gervonta Davis next fight would be a must-watch event

Gervonta Davis is gearing up for his next big bout. The boxing community is abuzz with speculation about his next opponent, with news expected to drop in the coming months. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see who Davis, known for his devastating knockout power, will face in his return to the ring.

Several names are in the mix for Gervonta Davis’ next fight. Among the top contenders are Ryan Garcia, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Shakur Stevenson. Each of these fighters brings a unique challenge, and any matchup would be a must-watch event.

Gervonta Davis

Ryan Garcia has been pushing hard for a rematch after their 2023 clash. Garcia’s recent victory over Devin Haney has reignited interest in seeing these two powerhouses go head-to-head again. The first fight between Davis and Garcia was a thrilling spectacle, and a second encounter promises to be just as exciting.

Who Will Gervonta Davis Fight Next?

Ryan Garcia: After their 2023 bout, Ryan Garcia has been pushing for a rematch. Garcia recently defeated Devin Haney, which has made a rematch with Davis even more interesting. Their first fight was thrilling, and fans are eager to see them face off again.

Vasiliy Lomachenko: Many consider Lomachenko the second-best lightweight, right behind Davis. A fight between Davis and Lomachenko would be a battle for the top spot in the division. Lomachenko’s skill and experience make him a tough opponent.

Shakur Stevenson: Stevenson is a rising star in the lightweight division. He has been calling for a fight with Davis, wanting to prove himself against the best. Although less known than Garcia or Lomachenko, Stevenson’s talent and undefeated record make him a serious contender.

Gervonta Davis

Gervonta Davis earnings and popularity

Gervonta Davis earns around $5 million per fight, thanks to his high-profile status. As he continues to win, his earnings are likely to grow. His next fight will attract a lot of attention, regardless of who he faces.

Gervonta Davis’s next fight announcement is eagerly awaited. Whether it’s a rematch with Garcia, a showdown with Lomachenko, or a test against Stevenson, fans are in for a treat. Stay tuned for the official announcement and get ready for another exciting chapter in Davis’s career.

Shakur Stevenson didn’t exactly thrill his hometown crowd over the weekend, but he still managed a clear win.

Following Shakur Stevenson’s unanimous decision win over the weekend, ESPN’s Tim Bradley spent some time talking to media about how much he still supports Stevenson despite the ho-hum performances we’ve seen from him lately. Bradley also spent some time talking about a potential matchup between Stevenson and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis. Check out some of what he had to say below.

Gervonta Davis

“The only guy that I think can give Shakur a run for his money is Tank,” Bradley said. “The only guy, man. ‘Cause his IQ is right there with him and he got that power, that one punch power to end the fight. If he catch f-ckin’ Shakur bro, Shakur ain’t never been hit, but if he catches him bro, it could be it.

“But Shakur’s going to make sure that don’t happen and that’s the concentration that he has, he’s going to have the concentration all night and he’s going to take limited chances. It’s going to be a boring ass fight but Shakur should be able to pick it off. And if Tank starts to rush in and starts to get ahead of himself, Shakur going to pick him apart.

“But, again, Tank got that timing, he got every punch in the arsenal, it’s going to be a difficult fight for Shakur but I still think Shakur can get him. But I don’t care his performance wasn’t a performance tonight, it is what it is. He did what he had to do against this dude, made him look like a rookie in my opinion.

Gervonta Davis and Floyd Mayweather

“For market value, for entertainment value, of course you want him to stop him because that’s what people like to see. He could’ve but again, he missed his opportunity, it was a window right there, six, seven, he had it right there and then he didn’t turn it up. His grandfather was telling him ‘hey, turn it up, turn it up’…but he got to start cutting off the ring a lot better and he got to start putting combinations together. And Shakur is defensive minded, he don’t want to take no punches.”

Gervonta Davis versus Shakur Stevenson is one of the best fights to be made in boxing – both undefeated, both champions and both with a unique style that couldn’t be further from the other’s.

Hall of Fame fight turner analyst Tim Bradley went from saying Stevenson would outbox Davis ‘very easily’ to, just two weeks later, saying he could see a route for Davis to win either by knockout or on points.

Speaking to FightHype, Bradley explained the change of view on the fight was down to form in latest performances.

Gervonta Davis

“People are saying you’re flip-flopping, let me just talk about that. I look at fighter’s styles and what they bring, I study film, I see what affects that guy like Shakur can give Tank. Whether Tank loses the first four rounds purposely or not, he can be outboxed. That’s just it.

But, going back to each guy’s performance, what Tank has done recently, what Shakur has done in his last two fights – lacklustre performances – you gotta look at the two. Yeah, Shakur’s style can give Tank fits, but what weaknesses did I see last time out? Of course he can get better, but this guy that he faced wasn’t a crazy puncher like Tank.”

Davis impressed with a knockout against previously-undefeated Frank Martin, taking his time and edging closer as he does. On the other hand, Stevenson’s last two outings have been heavily criticised by fans, fighters and analysts as being overly defensive and not entertaining.

After admitting that Stevenson’s last performance could be down to hand injuries, Bradley still sent a warning the 27-year-old’s way.

Gervonta Davis

“If you fight Tank in that fashion, where he’s able to get off heat, and you don’t give him nothing in return, he’s gonna stop you. He’s gonna catch you, he’s gonna hurt you, he’s gonna stop you. So I see the fight as 50/50 now.”

The fight, should it happen, looks likely to wait until 2025 as ‘Tank’ enters talks with IBF Champion Vasily Lomachenko and Shakur targets a contender, potentially William Zepeda or George Kambosos Jr.

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