Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gervonta Davis

Discover the career path of Gervonta Davis, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Gervonta "Tank" Davis is an American professional boxer. He currently holds the WBA lightweight title (since 2023) and previously held the WBA Regular lightweight title (2019-2023). Davis has also been the IBF super featherweight champion (2017), a two-time WBA super featherweight champion (2018-2020), and the WBA super lightweight champion (2021). His career is marked by multiple world titles across different weight classes.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2006: National Silver Gloves Championships

From 2006 to 2008, Gervonta Davis won three straight National Silver Gloves Championships.

2008: National Silver Gloves Championships

From 2006 to 2008, Gervonta Davis won three straight National Silver Gloves Championships.

2012: National Golden Gloves Championship

In 2012, Gervonta Davis won the National Golden Gloves Championship.

February 22, 2013: Professional Debut vs. Desi Williams

On February 22, 2013, at the age of 18, Gervonta Davis made his professional debut against Desi Williams at the D.C. Armory in Washington, winning by first-round knockout.

August 2014: 8-0 Record

By August 2014, Gervonta Davis had achieved a professional record of 8 wins and no losses, with all wins achieved by stopping his opponents inside the distance.

October 2014: First Full Distance Fight vs. Germán Meraz

In October 2014, Gervonta Davis fought veteran Germán Meraz, marking the first time Davis went the full distance in a fight, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 60–52 from all three judges.

February 20, 2015: First Stoppage of Israel Suarez

On February 20, 2015, Gervonta Davis achieved a first-round KO victory against Israel Suarez at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, marking the first time Suarez had been stopped.

May 22, 2015: TKO Victory Against Alberto Mora

On May 22, 2015, Gervonta Davis scored a technical knockout (TKO) against Alberto Mora at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, stopping Mora for the first time in his career 1 minute and 14 seconds into the fight.

September 12, 2015: Defeats Recky Dulay on Mayweather-Berto Undercard

On September 12, 2015, Gervonta Davis defeated Recky Dulay in just 94 seconds at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Showtime, as part of the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Andre Berto undercard.

October 30, 2015: Defeats Cristobal Cruz

On October 30, 2015, Gervonta Davis defeated veteran Cristobal Cruz at The Venue at UCF in Orlando, Florida, on Bounce TV.

December 18, 2015: KO Victory over Luis Sanchez

On December 18, 2015, Gervonta Davis scored a ninth-round KO over Luis Sanchez at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on Spike TV.

April 1, 2016: KO Victory over Guillermo Avila

On April 1, 2016, Gervonta Davis defeated Guillermo Avila by KO in the sixth round at the D.C. Armory on Spike TV.

June 3, 2016: Knockout Win Over Mario Antonio Macias

On June 3, 2016, Gervonta Davis knocked out Mario Antonio Macias with his first punch of the fight, which lasted only 41 seconds, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, as part of a Premier Boxing Champions card.

June 2016: Potential fight with Martínez

In July 2017, Davis considered defending his IBF title against Román Martínez, whose last fight was in June 2016.

November 15, 2016: Announcement of Title Challenge Against José Pedraza

On November 15, 2016, ESPN announced that Gervonta Davis would challenge José Pedraza for the IBF super featherweight title on January 14, 2017.

January 14, 2017: Wins IBF Super Featherweight Title

On January 14, 2017, Gervonta Davis defeated José Pedraza in a seventh-round KO at the Barclays Center in New York to win the IBF super featherweight title, earning $75,000 for the fight.

May 7, 2017: Davis to defend title against Liam Walsh

On May 7, 2017, it was announced Gervonta Davis would defend his IBF title against Liam Walsh in London, England on May 20, 2017.

May 20, 2017: Retains IBF Title Against Liam Walsh

On May 20, 2017, Gervonta Davis stopped Liam Walsh in the third round in London to retain his IBF title, although he initially weighed in overweight and was given multiple attempts to make weight. The fight was shown live on Showtime in the U.S.

July 2017: Davis to Feature on Mayweather-McGregor Card

In early July 2017, TMZ Sports reported that Gervonta Davis would be on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor, scheduled for August 26, 2017.

August 26, 2017: Davis Wins Against Fonseca, Stripped of IBF Title

On August 26, 2017, Gervonta Davis defeated Francisco Fonseca by KO in round eight on the Mayweather-McGregor undercard. However, Davis was stripped of his IBF title after weighing in over the limit.

November 15, 2017: Davis Plans Ring Return in 2018

On November 15, 2017, Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe announced Gervonta Davis would return to the ring in early 2018, aiming for a world title challenge at super featherweight.

2017: IBF Super Featherweight Title

In 2017, Gervonta Davis held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight title.

January 24, 2018: Davis to Appear on Broner-Vargas Undercard

On January 24, 2018, Showtime announced that Gervonta Davis would appear on the undercard of Broner vs. Vargas on April 21 at the Barclays Center in New York.

June 2018: Mares lost his last fight against Léo Santa Cruz

In November 2018, Davis announced that he would defend his WBA title in February 2019 against Abner Mares (31–3–1, 15 KOs) in Southern California. The fight would see Mares moving up from featherweight, having lost his last fight in June 2018 against Léo Santa Cruz.

August 2018: Mayweather Teases Davis vs. Mares Fight

In August 2018, Floyd Mayweather teased a potential fight between Gervonta Davis and Abner Mares via social media, with no specific date or venue mentioned at the time.

November 2018: Davis Announces Fight Against Abner Mares

In November 2018, Gervonta Davis announced that he would defend his WBA title in February 2019 against Abner Mares in Southern California.

2018: WBA Super Featherweight Title (Super Version)

Between 2018 and 2020, Gervonta Davis held the WBA super featherweight title (Super version) twice.

February 9, 2019: Davis vs. Mares Fight Confirmed

On December 14, 2018, the fight between Gervonta Davis and Abner Mares was confirmed to take place on February 9, 2019, at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, later changed to Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The event was broadcast on Showtime.

February 2019: Davis Defends WBA Title Against Abner Mares

In February 2019, Gervonta Davis was set to defend his WBA title against Abner Mares.

July 27, 2019: Davis Defeats Ricardo Núñez

On July 27, 2019, Gervonta Davis defeated Ricardo Núñez by second-round technical knockout in Baltimore, marking the first time a Baltimore native defended a world title in the city since 1940.

December 28, 2019: Davis Wins WBA Lightweight Title Against Gamboa

On December 28, 2019, Gervonta Davis fought and won against Yuriorkis Gamboa by a twelfth-round technical knockout for the vacant WBA (Regular) lightweight title, despite Gamboa's Achilles tear sustained in the second round.

2019: WBA Regular Lightweight Title

From 2019 to 2023, Gervonta Davis held the Regular version of the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title.

October 31, 2020: Davis vs. Léo Santa Cruz

On October 31, 2020, Gervonta Davis made his PPV debut on Showtime against Léo Santa Cruz at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Davis moved back down to super featherweight and recaptured his vacated WBA (Super) title. Davis won by TKO in the 6th round, retaining his lightweight title and also recapturing the WBA (Super) super featherweight title. Davis's knockout was later selected as The Ring Magazine Knockout of The Year for 2020.

2020: WBA Super Featherweight Title (Super Version)

Between 2018 and 2020, Gervonta Davis held the WBA super featherweight title (Super version) twice.

June 26, 2021: Davis vs. Mario Barrios

On June 26, 2021, Gervonta Davis faced Mario Barrios at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Davis moved up to the super lightweight division for the first time and defeated WBA (Regular) champion Mario Barrios by TKO in the eleventh round. Davis was leading on all three judges' scorecards at the time of the stoppage. Barrios later revealed that the fight included a 10lb rehydration clause.

October 6, 2021: Davis Announces Fight With Rolando Romero

On October 6, 2021, it was announced that Gervonta Davis would face Rolando Romero on December 5 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. However, Romero was later replaced with Isaac Cruz due to sexual assault allegations.

2021: WBA Super Lightweight Title (Regular Version)

In 2021, Gervonta Davis held the WBA super lightweight title (Regular version).

January 2022: WBA orders Davis to fight Rolando Romero

In January 2022, after Rolando Romero revealed that no charges were filed against him, the WBA ordered Gervonta Davis to make his WBA (Regular) title defense against Romero. The pair agreed to fight on May 28.

January 7, 2023: Davis vs. Héctor García

On January 7, 2023, Gervonta Davis faced Héctor García at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., in his first fight since splitting from Floyd Mayweather Jr. Davis won by eighth-round corner retirement after García complained about his eyesight. A fight broke out in the crowd at ringside during the eighth round, temporarily halting the fight.

February 24, 2023: Davis vs. Ryan Garcia Fight Announcement

On February 24, 2023, it was announced that Gervonta Davis would face Ryan Garcia in a catchweight bout on April 22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight would be a joint PPV event between Showtime and DAZN and included a 10lb rehydration clause.

November 29, 2023: Davis elevated to WBA Lightweight Champion

On November 29, 2023, Gervonta Davis was elevated to primary WBA lightweight champion after Devin Haney relinquished his title to move up to the super lightweight division.

2023: WBA Lightweight Title

In 2023, Gervonta Davis has held the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title since 2023, previously holding the Regular version from 2019 to 2023.

May 2024: Ranked Among Best Lightweights

As of May 2024, Gervonta Davis is ranked as the world's second best active lightweight by ESPN, first by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and second by The Ring magazine.

June 15, 2024: Davis vs. Frank Martin

On June 15, 2024, Gervonta Davis defended his WBA lightweight title against Frank Martin at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Davis won the fight by 8th round knockout.

October 2024: Davis vs. Roach Jr. Postponed

In October 2024, it was reported that Gervonta Davis's scheduled fight against Lamont Roach Jr. on December 14, 2024, was postponed.

November 13, 2024: Davis vs. Roach Jr. Targeted

On November 13, 2024, it was reported that the fight between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. was "targeted" for March 1, 2025.

November 29, 2024: Davis vs. Roach Jr. Confirmed

On November 29, 2024, the bout between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. was confirmed to take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on March 1, 2025.

December 14, 2024: Davis vs. Roach Jr. Scheduled

On December 14, 2024, Gervonta Davis was originally scheduled to defend his WBA lightweight title against Lamont Roach Jr. at Toyota Center in Houston, TX. However, in October 2024, the fight was postponed.

March 1, 2025: Davis vs. Roach Jr. Confirmed

On November 29, 2024, the bout between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. was confirmed to take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on March 1, 2025.