BOXING

Can prime Floyd Mayweather beat Gervonta Davis? While an actual fight between them is never happening, this didn’t stop boxing commentator ShowBizz the Adult from pitting the former promoter boxer duo against each other in a fantasy clash! And boy, does a fight between them look spicy!

As many are well aware of, ‘Money’ Mayweather retired from the sport back in 2017 after a win against Conor McGregor in a crossover boxing match. In contrast, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis has just stepped into his prime years, having defeated Frank Martin in his last outing. But the question is, will Mayweather’s defense prove too much for ‘Tank’? Or will Davis’ destructive power tear through Mayweather’s defense?

Speaking about the subject in a clip he shared on his X account today, the boxing commentator suggested a fight between Floyd and Davis would be great at 135-pounds. However, from the beginning, he had the winner in his mind. He said, “But Ima tell you this though Floyd wins”.

While many would agree with ShowBizz, he goes on to emphasize Mayweather’s speed to justify his prediction. “Floyd got a great ass chin, Floyd is a killer, and he may be twice the speed of Tank. People forget how fast Floyd was”, said the boxing commentator. He goes as far as to compare Mayweather’s speed to one of boxing’s biggest legends.

“Floyd handspeed would rival Sugar Ray Leonard. Remember Pretty Boy, how he would be like his arms would be out here, and he will be just depending on his reflexes and Bam Bam”, said ShowBizz. Claiming to have thought about this fantasy matchup for a couple of weeks, ShowBizz the Adult doubled down on his prediction by repeating Floyd would win.

Floyd Mayweather is 47! Yes, he partakes in exhibition boxing matches every now and then, but none of his opponents are near the caliber of the boxer Davis is. Time and age come for every boxer and Mayweather is no different—it would be extremely unlikely for Mayweather to have retained his speed and power. Gervonta Davis would easily steamroll through the former five division champion.

And get this, even ‘Tank’ Davis’ coach feels the same way, as he challenged Floyd Mayweather for an actual fight against Davis!

BOXING

Tyson Fury removed from IBF heavyweight rankings ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch, but the reason why makes perfect sense

Tyson Fury is not in the latest IBF heavyweight rankings and has been replaced by Bakhodir Jalolov.

The ‘Gypsy King’ recently lost the first fight of his career as he succumbed to a points defeat in his undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk in May.

Following the loss of his WBC crown, Fury became a standard contender and so entered the rankings of the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO like any other fighter.

Now though, the IBF have removed the Briton from their latest heavyweight world rankings.

He has been replaced by heavyweight prospect Jalolov who sits in 13th.

But the reason for this makes sense – the IBF have no need to rank Fury given Usyk has vacated their title.

Fury is set to meet Usyk on December 21 in an immediate sequel, which will not involve the IBF.

Instead, only the WBA, WBC and WBO belts are at stake.

As he is challenging for those three instead, Fury has been removed from the rankings of the IBF.

However, Fury could yet become IBF champion again in future if he beats Usyk.

This is because it is being planned for the winner of Fury’s revenge bid against the Ukrainian to face the winner of Daniel Dubois’ IBF title defence against Anthony Joshua on September 21.

Dubois was upgraded to IBF world champion after Usyk vacated the belt, given he was the ‘interim’ title-holder.

So Joshua is now the leading ranked contender behind Dubois as he bids to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

Agit Kabayel, Jared Anderson and Zhilei Zhang sit immediately behind Joshua in the rankings as they look to cement their name in the world title mix.

British pair Joe Joyce and Fabio Wardley sit in 10th and 12th respectively ahead of Jalolov, and it is an exciting time for the blue-riband division.

Fury has already began training for his chance to turn around his loss to ‘The Cat’.

And he has sent Usyk a video message already with months still to go until their next episode.

He said: “Listen up! I’ve conquered everything in boxing – titles, records, the lot. But I’ve never had to come back from a loss.

“On December 21st in Riyadh, in the heart of the kingdom, the king will reclaim his throne and become undisputed.

BOXING

Gervonta Davis receives the best news and fulfills his dream of the Olympic Games, but in a different way

Davis is the WBA lightweight champion of the world and has won 30 pro fights.

BOXING

BALTIMORE BOXING ICON GERVONTA “TANK” DAVIS TO ADVISE TEAM USA AT PARIS OLYMPICS

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.

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.

BOXING

Isaac Cruz yearns for another shot at Gervonta Davis with full training camp

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

BOXING

How Top Trainer Robert Garcia Predicts Gervonta Davis-Lomachenko: “He Won’t Be Afraid Of Him”

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.

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.

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.

BOXING

Claressa Shields is giving this boxer the ‘best chance’ of winning an Olympic gold medal

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.”

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.”

BOXING

Roy Jones Jr. Names Gervonta Davis “The Most Deadly Kind of Guy” Besides Mike Tyson-Esque Boxers

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, 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!

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?

BOXING

Bon voyage: Gervonta Davis can travel to 2024 Paris Olympic Games, judge rules

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.

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.

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.

BOXING

Oscar De La Hoya Makes Emphatic Gervonta Davis-Lomachenko Prediction: “No Disrespect”

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.

‘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.

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.