Gervonta Davis has been on the receiving end of heavy criticism as excitement builds around January’s matchup between Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden. Stevenson, who spent years calling for a fight against Davis, chose instead to move up to super lightweight to face Lopez for the WBO title.
Meanwhile, Davis is not preparing for any major bout and remains inactive after his exhibition fight with Jake Paul was canceled.
With Davis on pause and Stevenson stepping into a dangerous title fight, boxing voices have compared their approaches – and Davis didn’t come out looking great.
Analyst calls out Gervonta Davis’ competition
Paulie Malignaggi, speaking on boxing scene, shared his prediction for Stevenson vs. Lopez and used the moment to question David’s recent resume. Malignaggi praised Stevenson’s skill, saying he could become ”the face of boxing,” while also acknowledging Lopez’s ability to hand Stevenson a legitimate challenge.
Malignaggi then shifted his tone, pointing directly at Davis. According to Malignaggi, Davis has avoided the kind of top-tier matchups Stevenson has taken on.
He went on the mock the level of competition Davis has faced, saying Davis fights ”truck drivers’‘ and athletes nowhere near the danger level of Lopez. Malignaggi added that supporters of Davis shouldn’t criticize Stevenson if he loses – because Stevenson’s choosing risks Davis has never stepped into.
The former champion summed it up by saying Davis would not have signed to fight Teofimo Lopez, while Stevenson willingly stepped into that matchup.
Davis’ recent career decisions under more spotlight
Davis has faced similar criticism before. Earlier this year, instead of fighting another titleholder or a top fighter from his weight class, he faced Lamont Roach Jr – a smaller fighter who moved up from super featherweight. Roach nearly beat him, yet Davis chose not to run it back.
After that, he shifted toward an exhibition fight with Jake Paul, but that fight fell apart due to legal issues involving Davis’ ex-girlfriend.
Those decisions have now left Davis inactive, while the biggest stars of his division continue advancing their resumes.
Isaac ”Pitbull” Cruz also referenced Davis when requesting an immediate rematch with Lamont Roach Jr. Following their majority draw, Cruz made his stance clear, saying he was willing to fight again right away – then took a jab by saying, ‘‘I’m not Gervonta Davis. I’m ready for a rematch right away.”
Cruz and Roach have been two of Davis’ toughest opponents, and neither received a rematch – something Cruz openly pointed out.
Read the full article here
