By Vince D’Writer: For the first ten years of his career, Floyd Mayweather Jr was part of Top Rank’s stable of fighters until he exercised a provision in his contract that allowed him to become a free agent. The strategic move paid off as Mayweather became the top earner in the fight game and the bull’s-eye on the dart board of all boxers. Due to his purchasing power and his status as an elite boxer, Mayweather referred to himself as the A-side.
Currently in the sport of boxing, Mayweather protégé and current WBA (Regular) lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (27-0, 25 KOs) is living out the A-side role. The Baltimore native called the attention of the boxing public in January 2017 when he knocked out Jose Pedraza in the seventh round and won the IBF super featherweight title. Fight fans are intrigued by the art of the knockout, and when Tank is in the ring, he delivers them in spectacular fashion.
Davis’ ability to close out the show with highlight reel-style knockouts helped him build a star-studded fan base consisting of musical artists, actors, NBA and NFL stars. Tank has become a must-see television show, having performed to sold-out crowds at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to selling out stadiums in several cities, Davis has become a bona fide pay-per-view star.
Gervonta Davis has achieved a great deal of success over the course of his boxing career and has positioned himself to be the A-side. What Davis is quickly learning is the fact that being the A-side has a number of consequences. Competitors are aware of the fact that a matchup against Davis is a lucrative opportunity, and a win against Davis will boost a boxer’s career. Due to the reality of the position Tank Davis currently holds, he has been called up by multiple fighters in the 135 and 140 pound divisions.
Ryan Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs), is a talented boxer who has a huge fan base, but some question his dedication to the sport of boxing. Garcia has called out Tank Davis on multiple occasions because he needs a match with Davis to receive validation. Another fighter who has consistently called Tank out is Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (24-2-1, 17 KOs). In December 2021, Cruz stepped in as a replacement opponent and wrestled Davis but lost a close battle.
Despite the unanimous decision loss to Davis, Cruz’s stock increased because he fought a very competitive fight. Vengeance is on Pitbull’s mind as he desperately searches for an opportunity to avenge losing him. As Isaac Cruz looks for a second chance, Michel Rivera (23-0, 14 KOs), eagerly awaits an opening opportunity. Rivera, Ali’s stunt double, is ranked No. 3 in the WBA and feels that his ranking and his undefeated record are proof that he deserves a match with Davis.
Recently, after posting an upset TKO victory over the previously undefeated Jose Valenzuela, Dominican boxer Edwin De Los Santos (15-1, 14 KOs) called out Tank Davis. In addition to the multitude of 135-pounders wanting to fight Davis, a couple of 140-pounders have also made offers to him. Regis Prograis said he wants Gervonta Davis when he gets to 140, and Gary Antuanne Russell says he would. he will be willing to go down to 135 to face Davis.
At the moment, Gervonta “Tank” Davis is one of boxing’s brightest stars. For other fighters, a matchup with Tank equates to an opportunity to generate a significant amount of income and the chance to elevate their name to the next level if they can come out of the fight with a win. Davis recently took to social media to announce his return to the ring in December. As the top A-side fighter in the lightweight division, Davis and his team have a date in mind and have a host of potential opponents to choose from.
