The Rivalry Heating Up
Gervonta Davis, the formidable WBA lightweight champion, has been making waves with his outspoken opinions lately. He is not impressed with the constant calls for a fight from both WBC and WBO lightweight champions Shakur Stevenson and Keyshawn Davis. Instead of warming up to the idea, Davis has dismissively labeled their repeated appeals as "needy and desperate." When asked about the possibility of a unification bout, Davis made it clear that he wants to see them prove their worth by facing each other. "They should. They’re not under the same coaches or none of that. They keep saying they’re not going to fight their brother s. Get the f out of here. They do need to fight," he candidly told the media.
The "Brother" Excuse Under Scrutiny
The reluctance of Keyshawn and Shakur to face each other has been the subject of much speculation in the boxing world. Both fighters have been vocal about their friendship and camaraderie, insisting that they cannot fight one another because they are "brothers." However, Davis sees this as nothing more than a convenient excuse to avoid a challenging and potentially career-defining matchup. He emphasized that their friendship should not be a barrier to proving themselves in the ring. Despite their claims, the reality is that a fight between the two could generate significant interest and revenue, making it a compelling proposition for both fighters.
Keyshawn’s Weight Struggles
Keyshawn Davis, while currently the WBO lightweight champion, is facing a different set of challenges. His recent fourth-round knockout win over Denys Berinchyk on February 14th has been heavily criticized by Tank. Davis pointed out that Keyshawn looked emaciated during the weigh-in, resembling a Civil War prisoner at Andersonville. This concerning appearance suggests that Keyshawn is struggling to make weight at 135 pounds. Tank believes that Keyshawn’s body is more suited for the middleweight division, and he predicts that Keyshawn will soon be forced to move up to 154 or 160 pounds. While the financial incentives might be better at higher weights, Tank warns that Keyshawn will face stiffer competition and won’t be able to rely on his size advantage.
Shakur’s Promotional Tactics
Shakur Stevenson, with his impressive record of 23-0 and 11 KOs, is also eager to face Tank Davis. Shakur and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, have been lobbying hard to secure a fight with Davis, hoping that the wealthy Saudi businessman Turki Alalshikh can sway Davis with a lucrative offer. Shakur’s team knows that a unification bout with Davis would be a massive step forward in his career. However, tank remains unconvinced by their efforts, believing that Stevenson and his promoters are overplaying their hand. Davis is focused on defending his WBA lightweight title against Lamont Roach on March 1st at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and is not swayed by Stevenson’s entreaties.
Tank’s Critique of Top Rank’s Matchmaking
Tank Davis is particularly critical of Keyshawn’s promoters at Top Rank, accusing them of deliberately matchmaking him against weaker opponents to create a false illusion of greatness. Davis highlighted how Keyshawn was matched against the 36-year-old Denys Berinchyk, who, according to Tank, is "worse than George Kambosos." Davis believes that this strategy is a common tactic used by Top Rank to build their fighters’ resumes without exposing them to genuine competition. "Top Rank knows how to do it. You know it," Davis said, suggesting that the promotional team is skilled at creating mismatches to ensure their fighters’ success.
A Clear Path Forward
Despite the criticisms and the reluctance of Keyshawn and Shakur to face each other, Davis remains firm in his stance. He believes that the only way to truly test their mettle is for them to step into the ring with each other. Davis is confident in his own abilities and is not afraid to take on the winner of such a matchup. His upcoming bout against Lamont Roach is a testament to his focus and commitment to defending his titles. Tank’s candor and confidence in the face of potential challenges highlight his status as one of the most respected and feared fighters in the lightweight division. The boxing world will be watching closely to see how these dynamics play out and if Keyshawn and Shakur can overcome their "brother" pact to make a compelling fight happen.
