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New Faces: Gervonta Davis

Fighters Network
18
Feb

Gervonta-Davis

GERVONTA DAVIS

Vital Statistics:
Age:
20
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Weight class: Featherweight
Height: 5-6 (167 cm)
Amateur record: 206-15
Turned pro: 2013
Pro record: 9-0, 8 knockouts
Trainer(s): Calvin Ford
Manager: Al Haymon
Promoter: Haymon Boxing
Twitter: @GervontaDavis

Best night of pro career: Davis has lived up to his “Tank” moniker stopping eight of his nine opponents to date but couldn’t single out one performance over another.



“All my fights have been the same,” Davis told RingTV.com. “I want to keep building on what I did in my previous fights. I’m never satisfied. I can always do better.”

Worst night of pro career: In the same way as he couldn’t pick out a best performance he struggled to pick a worst.

“I haven’t had a bad night yet, thankfully,” he said. “Hopefully, I can avoid those.”

Next fight: Davis is booked to make his 2015 bow on Feb. 20. when he faces Israel Suarez 4-4-2 (1) in Pittsburgh in his first scheduled eight-round contest. It will take place on the undercard of this Friday’s “ShoBox: The New Generation,” though won’t be one of the selected TV bouts.

Why he’s a prospect: Davis was a very promising junior amateur, winning many tournaments including two Junior Olympics, the Police Athletic League Tournament (PAL) twice; Ringside tournament twice and the Silver Gloves.

Davis wanted to box at the 2012 Olympics but wasn’t able to because he was just 17, and the cut-off age requirement is 18.

With the Olympics no longer an option, Davis wanted to turn professional. His trainer Calvin Ford told him that he wanted him to win a senior National title first.

Davis won the 2012 National Golden Gloves and then made the transition to the pros.

The Maryland-based fighter fought internationally as an amateur in Northern Ireland as well as in many States in America.

Since turning over has sparred with several world champions and top contenders including Danny Garcia, Lamont Peterson and Raushee Warren.

Why he’s a suspect: Davis left the amateur game with a good reputation and has been able to continue his development in the pros so far.

However, we don’t know how he’ll react to adversity inside the ring, such as getting dropped or cut.

Signed with the ever-influential Al Haymon a year ago, who has a client list around 175, Davis has yet to separate himself from the pack. Being part of such a vast stable has many plus points, such as high class sparring, appearances on big shows, etc., however one also wants to avoid getting lost in the crowd.

Davis doesn’t signal out a specific area believing he needs to improve all facets of his game.

“I need to work on everything,” he said. “Defense, offence, not get hit as much. Pretty much I have to work on everything if I want to be an elite boxer. I have to keep adding things to my game.”

Story lines: At the tender age of 5 years old Davis was involved in a neighborhood fight. To keep him away from further trouble his uncles brought him to Upton Boxing Club in Baltimore. When the youngster saw other children boxing, he became interested in the sport.

A boxer at the gym noticed Davis had some talent so suggested he work with his father Calvin Ford, who to this day still works with Davis.

The two clearly share a strong bond.

“Calvin Ford is a great coach and a great father figure,” said Davis. “I owe much of my success in the ring to that man. He is a great tactical guy, and he knows the sport better than anyone I’ve met. He studies it.”

Ford who has worked with many local fighters over the years, today he also works with fledgling pro Malik Hawkins and top amateur Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson. He see’s huge potential in his young fighter.

“Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is a real exciting fighter at 126 pounds,” said Ford. “He has a bright future if he stays focused. If he puts the work in and does what he is supposed to do, I’m confident that he will be a world champion.

“We have a great team, so he has everything around him necessary to win. We haven’t had a champion come out of Baltimore in a long time, so this city would really get behind him when he brings that world title home.”

ÒÇÇ
Fight-by-fight record

2013

Dec. 14 – James Franks – TKO2

Oct. 17 – Eric Jamar Goodall – TKO4

July 20 – Rafael Casias – TKO2

Jun. 8 – Jonathan Gears – KO1

Apr. 20 – Jacob Ninow – TKO2

Feb. 22 – Desi Williams – KO1

2014

Oct. 8 – German Meraz – PTS6

Aug. 1 – Hector Lopez – KO1

May 16 – Joshua Arocho – RTD 2

ÒÇÇ

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him at www.twitter.com/AnsonWainwright

 

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