Gervonta “Tank” Davis has earned his fame.
Having only gone the distance once in a six-rounder early in his career, the knockout king of Baltimore has arrived. Davis currently owns a .957 knockout rate.
It is tough in the shadow of his promoter and mentor in Floyd Mayweather, Jr., the most successful boxer-businessman in the history of the sport.
Many tried to meet the acclaim of the “Pretty Boy” turned “Money” and while jet-setting and becoming hood famous, they couldn’t match the expectations.
“I’m so happy with what Gervonta’s done in his career,” said Mayweather via press release. “He’s one of the biggest stars in the sport. I’ve laid down the blueprint and I’m going to keep helping him grow.”
Now a three-time world champion, Davis has met the grade to be Mayweather Promotions star athlete. With “Money” fully retired the only question now is can Davis neutralize the bigger names in the sport?
Mayweather Promotions CEO, Leonard Ellerbe continues his masterful build up of the young phenom with his latest matchup against Leo “El Terremoto” Santa Cruz.
The two fight this weekend on Halloween in San Antonio, Texas.
“This fight is a tremendous clash of styles,” said Ellerbe via press release. “Not only do you have power vs. pressure, but you have two young fighters who are risking it all to prove they’re the best and give the fans a memorable night.”
The highly anticipated main event will be contested at 130-pounds and will be fought for both Santa Cruz’s 130-pound title and Davis’ 135-pound title. They each won the titles in their previous fight.
Santa Cruz is long established as one of the busiest punchers and best pressure fighters in the sport. It will be the biggest test of his career. That is not hyperbole, Santa Cruz is just that good.
“Santa Cruz might change up what he’s doing,” said Calvin Ford, Davis’ trainer. “We are working on a lot of things. What I always tell ‘Tank’ is the fight may not be how we train. We can do a lot of stuff in the gym, but we might have to change. We just have to be effective with what we have to do. Leo’s been putting in the work.
I watched his media workout and his interview. He says he’s going to give Gervonta his first loss. And I like that energy. I love that energy because I know you are really going to bring what I’m looking for. ‘Tank’ hasn’t brought his best yet, and I’m just waiting for that fighter to bring the best out of ‘Tank’.”
Davis vs. Santa Cruz
The bout will is a rare clash in boxing history in which world titles in two weight classes will be at stake. Other notable instances in recent boxing history is the 1988 Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Donny Lalonde fight for the light heavyweight and super middleweight titles.
Also the 2014 Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana rematch for the super welterweight and welterweight championships.
This is the first major boxing event with fans in attendance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. in March. The Alamodome has promised to implement a comprehensive health and safety plan to protect against the spread of the virus.
All fans attending the event will be screened upon entry and are required to wear a mask, as well as follow social distancing guidelines.
It’s a major move just like placing Tank on his first pay-per-view. After selling out the Royal Farms Arena in his native Baltimore, he travels to Texas where Santa Cruz’s Mexican fan base thrives.
“When ‘Tank’ was very young, I told him that at some point he’d be on pay-per-view and now we’re here,” said Mayweather. “I’ve always been a fan of Leo’s as well. Both fighters deserve this, the fans deserve this, and I want to see these fighters at their best on fight night. Go out and give the fans what they want to see.
“I know ‘Tank’ is ready for pay-per-view because his fan base is really growing. The demographic that follows him is getting bigger. With Leo being popular on the West Coast and in Texas, he’ll bring a huge following as well. This fight can only be on pay-per-view in my opinion.”
Tank has taken a few public “L’s” in the court of public opinion.
Misogynistic tweets. A viral video of Tank accosting his girlfriend at a celebrity basketball during Super Bowl weekend in Miami. It is reminiscent of Mayweather’s notorious reputation with women that led him to a short jail stint back in 2011.
The platform is here and the lights are now the brightest. Although Tank is a good friend of Adrien “The Problem” Broner, he also can succumb to the pitfalls of success that he did.
More than a fight this is a test to Tank’s understanding that fame comes with a price.
New level, new devils.
As a boxer, Santa Cruz truly is el diablo and he is coming for it all. A win over Santa Cruz proves Tank is not only ready to stay at the top but that he understands the top is only for the strong and life is the definition of survival.
