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?

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.

Gervonta Davis could be prevented from travelling to the Paris Olympics to support Team USA.

Davis has a plan to travel out to the French capital to support the boxing team in their pursuit of a gold medal haul later this month.

But the 29-year-old is currently on probation after being jailed last year for a hit-and-run that took place in Baltimore in 2020, and this restricts him from travelling abroad.

Tank’s attorney, Hunter Pruette, has requested the boxing star is permitted to travel on the grounds that he will ‘support and advise’ the team from July 19 to August 11.

Judge Althea. M Handy has yet to make a final decision on the request, but has insisted she needs more information before the ban can be temporarily lifted.

According to the Baltimore Banner, she ended the hearing on Wednesday and walked off the bench, insisting: “We’re going to terminate this, Mr. Davis. We’re finished with this hearing.”

High Performance Director for Team USA, Matt Johnson, wrote in Davis’ defence, adding: “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.”

Davis’ lawyer Pruette also argued that his client had been compliant during his probational period.

Handy had later accused the attorney of being ‘arrogant’ which he suggested he had never been named during his entire 20-year period practising law.

A final decision has yet to be made and it is unclear if Davis will be able to get a resolution before his planned travel date.

It is not Davis’ first experience with the judge, having hit out at her when she sent him to jail last year.

He went live on Instagram, saying: “Man, I just wanna let the people know that this judge is crazy, bro.

Tank has the power, but Shakur believes he has something more important.

There are a few reasons why Gervonta Davis is one of the biggest draws in boxing, and why Shakur Stevenson doesn’t come anywhere close when it comes to selling out arenas and fighting against big name opponents.

The biggest reason is their contrasting styles. Davis likes to knock people out. Stevenson likes winning fights by avoiding punches, which has made many boxing fans label him as “boring“; so much so that he got booed by the crowd in his hometown last weekend.

ls Tank Davis a one-trick pony?

Stevenson addressed what makes him different than Davis and other boxers in a recent interview with Cigar Talk.

People are blessed with different abilities. [Tank] is blessed with a god-given ability that if he cracks you, 9 times out of 10 you’re gonna go down. That’s his ability. I’m blessed with god-given eyes. My eyes are amazing. A lot of people don’t understand how good my eyes are. I can see really well, punches coming my way I know how to get away from them at any given time.

There’s no denying what Stevenson is saying, but it’s why many boxing fans don’t like watching him. He’s a very technical fighter, but sometimes people just want to see hands being thrown.

Stevenson most recently defeated Artem Harutyunyan by unanimous decision, marking the first successful defense of his WBC lightweight title, which he won against Edwin De Los Santos in November of last year. A fight against Davis has been rumored, but it’s far from being a done deal.

Gervonta Davis was mentored by Floyd Mayweather early in his career. Now, their relationship consists of social media digs.

The 29-year-old from Baltimore is flying high after yet another knockout win, this time over previously undefeated Frank Martin, to retain his WBA Lightweight World Title.

At 30-0 with 28 stoppages, many believe ‘Tank’ is unbeatable in his current division. His team certainly do, and they have in the past said it’s only a matter of time until he beats all-comers.

It appears that, to find a suitable challenge, they’re even looking to past eras. On Instagram, ‘Tank’s co-trainer Kenny Ellis floated the idea of a fight against Mayweather, calling on the 50-0 retired fighter to ‘stop spinning the fans.’

“Gervonta can decode the shoulder roll. If Floyd can fight another exhibition he can fight another fight. If he’s as great as he says he is let’s stop spinning the fans. Gervonta vs Floyd. Can Floyd do what George Foreman did?”

His reference is to George Foreman‘s success as the oldest ever heavyweight world champion, winning the belts at 45. Should Mayweather, 47, ever consider a return for a belt – although it wouldn’t be the one Davis holds as he wouldn’t make 135 – he could break even Bernard Hopkins‘ record of the oldest world champion ever at 46.

Shakur Stevenson wants the best that the 135-pound division has to offer. While he is fresh off a dominating victory against Artem Harutyunyan, he has already reiterated his desire to have the marquee fight that he seems to have been chasing for a while. So, who fits the bill? Is it one of the standing champions at 135? Or is it any up-and-coming, hot prospect that can quench his ambition? If you already have a name in mind, then scroll down to see whether it made the list.

‘Sugar’ put on a show before his home crowd at Prudential Center, as he exhibited his superior defense and swift movement. However, it didn’t turn out to be exactly an exciting performance that the fans wanted to witness. While Stevenson made his first successful defense at 135, it also stamped his doubters’ criticism of him being a not-so-fan-friendly fighter and tough to market. The American fighter needs a name that can go to war against him and allow him to showcase the best version of himself. And you don’t have to look beyond the biggest name at 135 in Gervonta Davis.

Shakur Stevenson vs. Gervonta Davis: high payout, clash of brutal force and technical prowess

What does Stevenson, 25, need right now? An opponent that brings the fight to him and possesses an explosive arsenal. What’s more? Davis, 29, more than qualifies. ‘Tank’ has swayed the fans with his thunderous knockout power and has a long list of followers, which will also bring traction to their fight. In addition, the two have been at each other’s throats for quite some time, so the hype and demand for a fight are already there.

And you would love to see a showdown of contrasting fighting styles, where the WBC champion’s technical skills and his fast pair of hands, along with accurate punching ability, might frustrate and triumph over Davis’ in-ring IQ and thunderous power. However, Stevenson also runs the risk of getting ripped apart by the Baltimore native. Will he be able to put on a masterclass of hitting and simultaneously avoid getting hit, as he has done in his previous fights?

Shakur Stevenson versus Gervonta Davis could be next, at least according to Kenny Ellis, the co-trainer of ‘Tank’.

It was reported that Vasiliy Lomachencko, the IBF lightweight champion, was in talks with Davis, the WBA belt-holder, regarding a unification contest but according to Ellis, the Ukrainian veteran is plotting a more direct route to lightweight supremacy.

“Lomachenko said he will step aside and let Gervonta Davis fight Shakur Stevenson this fall and he’ll fight the winner early 2025,” Ellis said on Instagram.

Given Lomachenko’s age, one might presume he’d be better off fighting the likes of Davis sooner rather than later. However, with Stevenson holding the WBC title, Lomachenko could fight for three belts rather than two if he waits a little longer. Furthermore, should Davis defeat Stevenson he’ll be an even more marketable foe for Lomachenko than he is at present. And should Stevenson win, Lomachenko gets the chance to repay the American for last night wearing a shirt with his face on it and the words ‘Bob is saving his son from this ass-whooping’.

Stevenson, who coasted to victory over Artem Harutyunyan, is now a free agent after revealing he turned down a $15m offer from Bob Arum’s Top Rank for a five-fight extension to his now-expired contract with the promotional powerhouse.

Last week, Stevenson told BoxingScene that a fight with Davis would be “the biggest fight in the world, if we are really thinking about it. Every hood in America is going to watch that fight… That’s the biggest and best fight to make in boxing.

“That’s the game plan for me and the end goal. That’s the fight that I am going to kick the door down with. Honestly, that’s the direction I want to go in.”