There may be trouble in paradise within the Mayweather Promotions camp as boxing star Gervonta “Tank” Davis announced that his contract is up with the company on Twitter.
Davis was responding to a Twitter user who chided the young champion for fighting Rolando “Rolly” Romero next. Many believe the fight is beneath Davis’ caliber when the lightweight division is stacked with talent.
“Ok @Gervontaa. I’ve gave you a lot of sh*t about Mayweather promotions keeping you in house,” Twitter user Markus Payton posted. “Seems like you’re starting to see it. Dont let them ruin what could be a fantastic career if you took some chances. You have talent. Show it.”
Ok @Gervontaa I've gave you a lot of shit about Mayweather promotions keeping you in house. Seems like you're starting to see it. Dont let them ruin what could be a fantastic career if you took some chances. You have talent. Show it
— Markus Payton (@markp2020) March 24, 2022
Mayweather Tanked?
In response, Davis gave a mic drop moment.
“My contract up that’s why they want me to fight this clown so bad,” Davis posted.
Davis was supposed to fight Romero back on Dec. 5 in a Showtime pay-per-view bout for his WBA lightweight strap. However, the fight would not come to fruition when revelations of sexual assault allegations against Rolly were revealed, and he was removed from the card.
Instead, little-known Isaac Cruz replaced him and went the distance with Davis. Now Romero has been exonerated of the allegations, and no charges were actually filed. The two will face off on May 28 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Why Rolly?
However, Davis fighting the lesser-known Romero, a Mayweather Promotions fighter, seemed more of a business move for the company than a steppingstone for Davis’ growing successful career.
“Nothing lasts forever,” Mayweather said recently to FightHype. “I will always love Tank. I like him, love him, look at him like a son. He has to do what’s best for him. I feel like I’ve done a great job thus far, I mean, just building him and putting him in good fights, great fights. He’s steady growing, he’s steady learning and I’m proud of him.”
The revelation opens up old wounds between Mayweather and Davis.
History Of Bad Energy
In 2018, it seemed that the relationship between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Gervonta “Tank” Davis was on the rocks. Through Twitter, Davis seemed frustrated with Mayweather’s energy as his boss and mentor.
Davis turned heads during the lead-up to the Jesus Cuellar title fight last April. He switched up his training from the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas to Kevin Cunningham’s Camp Cunningham Gym in South Florida. The change was to train with noted Mayweather boxing “frenemy” Adrien “The Problem” Broner.
Mayweather also wasn’t as visible with Tank as he had been during the Liam Walsh fight in 2017.
Tank also lashed out at Mayweather on social media back in 2018, posting, “Floyd called me broke in our text convo yesterday…it motivated me!”
From Student To Competitor?
Still, Tank is the lifeblood of Mayweather Promotions now that “Money” has officially retired. He is a bona fide star under Mayweather’s tutelage, and his knockout power is now legendary.
Ironically, many former superstar boxers turned promoters have friction with their protégés. Most recently, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya and his former pupil Saùl “Canelo” Alvarez.
In 2018, Alvarez signed a $365 million deal for 11 fights licensed by subscription streaming service DAZN. However, COVID-19, plus other matchmaking factors, delayed Canelo’s activity and he decided to pivot.
Only Time Will Tell …
Alvarez filed a suit against Golden Boy Promotions, replete with 11 complaints, including breach of contract, negligent interference, and fraud.
Since then, Canelo has been a free agent with his Canelo Promotions, partnering with everyone from Premier Boxing Champions to Matchroom Sport to keep racking up wins and belts.
With Tank already a promoter with his GTD Promotions, only time will tell if he stays with the house that made him “money” or move from the Mayweather camp to control his destiny.
