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 a prominent American professional boxer. He has achieved significant success, holding multiple world titles across different weight classes. These include the IBF super featherweight title in 2017, the WBA super featherweight title on two occasions between 2018 and 2020, the WBA super lightweight title in 2021, the WBA lightweight title from 2023 to 2026 and the regular version from 2019 to 2023, establishing himself as a top-rated fighter in the sport.

Sections (5)

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

2006: National Silver Gloves Championship

In 2006, Gervonta Davis won the first of three straight National Silver Gloves Championships, continuing until 2008.

2008: National Silver Gloves Championship

In 2008, Gervonta Davis won his third straight National Silver Gloves Championship, having won the first in 2006.

2012: National Golden Gloves Championship

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

February 22, 2013: Professional Debut

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 (KO).

August 2014: Undefeated Record

By August 2014, Gervonta Davis had recorded 8 wins and no losses, with all wins coming inside the distance.

October 2014: Unanimous Decision Win Against Germán Meraz

In October 2014, Gervonta Davis defeated veteran Germán Meraz by unanimous decision (UD), marking the first time Davis went the full distance in a fight.

February 20, 2015: First Stoppage of Israel Suarez

On February 20, 2015, Gervonta Davis became the first person to stop Israel Suarez, winning by a first-round KO at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

May 22, 2015: Technical Knockout Victory Over 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.

September 12, 2015: Defeats Recky Dulay

On September 12, 2015, Gervonta Davis defeated Recky Dulay in 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: Knockout 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: Defeats Guillermo Avila by KO

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 Victory 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.

November 15, 2016: Davis to challenge 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 on Showtime to win the IBF super featherweight title.

May 7, 2017: Title Defense Announcement

On May 7, 2017, it was announced that Gervonta Davis would travel to London, England, for his first title defense against Liam Walsh 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 had trouble making weight. The fight was shown live on Showtime in the U.S.

July 2017: Mayweather-McGregor Co-Main Event

In early July 2017, it was reported by TMZ Sports that Gervonta Davis would be in the co-main event of Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor on August 26, 2017.

August 26, 2017: Davis Stripped of Title

On August 26, 2017, Gervonta Davis was stripped of his IBF title after failing to make weight for his fight against Francisco Fonseca. He still won the fight by controversial KO in round eight, which kept the title vacant.

November 15, 2017: In-Ring Return Announcement

On November 15, 2017, Leonard Ellerbe announced that Gervonta Davis would return to the ring in the first quarter of 2018 and would likely challenge for a world title.

2017: IBF Super Featherweight Title

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

January 24, 2018: Showtime Appearance Announced

On January 24, 2018, Showtime announced that Gervonta Davis would appear on television on the undercard of Broner vs. Vargas on April 21.

August 2018: Teased Fight Against Mares

In August 2018, Mayweather teased a fight between Davis and Mares via social media, with no mention of a date or venue.

November 2018: Davis Announces Title Defense

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

2018: WBA Super Featherweight Title

In 2018, Gervonta Davis held the World Boxing Association (WBA) (Super version) super featherweight title.

February 9, 2019: Confirmed Fight Date

On February 9, 2019, it was confirmed that the fight between Gervonta Davis and Abner Mares would take place at Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Showtime.

February 2019: WBA title defense against Abner Mares

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

July 27, 2019: TKO Win Over Ricardo Núñez

On July 27, 2019, Gervonta Davis defended his WBA (Super) super featherweight title, beating Ricardo Núñez by second-round technical knockout in Baltimore, Maryland.

December 28, 2019: Wins WBA Lightweight Title

On December 28, 2019, Gervonta Davis won the vacant WBA (Regular) lightweight title against Yuriorkis Gamboa by twelfth-round technical knockout, in a fight where Gamboa had a torn Achilles.

2019: WBA Lightweight Title

In 2019, Gervonta Davis held the regular version of the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title from 2019 to 2023.

October 31, 2020: Davis vs. Léo Santa Cruz

On October 31, 2020, Gervonta Davis made his PPV debut, moving down to super featherweight to face Léo Santa Cruz for the WBA (Super) title at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Davis won by knockout in the sixth round, retaining his lightweight title and capturing the WBA (Super) super featherweight title. The knockout was later awarded The Ring Magazine Knockout of The Year for 2020.

2020: WBA Super Featherweight Title

In 2020, Gervonta Davis held the World Boxing Association (WBA) (Super version) super featherweight title for the second time.

June 26, 2021: Davis vs. Mario Barrios

On June 26, 2021, Gervonta Davis faced Mario Barrios at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, for the WBA (Regular) super lightweight title. Davis won by TKO in the eleventh round after knocking Barrios down multiple times. At the time of the stoppage, Davis was leading on all three judges' scorecards.

October 6, 2021: Davis Announces Fight with Rolando Romero, Later Faces Isaac Cruz

On October 6, 2021, Gervonta Davis announced he would fight Rolando Romero on December 5. However, Romero was replaced by Isaac Cruz due to allegations. Davis ultimately fought Cruz on the announced date and won by unanimous decision, marking only the second time in his career that he went the full distance.

2021: WBA Super Lightweight Title

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

January 2022: Davis Ordered to Fight Rolando Romero

In January 2022, after Rolando Romero's sexual abuse allegations were unsubstantiated, the WBA ordered Gervonta Davis to defend his WBA (Regular) title against Romero. The pair were given until February 24 to come to terms for the fight.

January 7, 2023: Davis vs. Héctor García

On January 7, 2023, Gervonta Davis fought Héctor García at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., marking his first fight since splitting with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Davis won by eighth-round corner retirement after a closely-contested fight was temporarily halted due to a ringside disturbance.

February 24, 2023: Davis vs. Ryan Garcia Announced

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, in a joint PPV event between Showtime and DAZN. The fight included a 10lb rehydration clause.

November 29, 2023: Davis Elevated to WBA Lightweight Champion

On November 29, 2023, after Devin Haney relinquished his WBA (Super) lightweight title, Gervonta Davis was elevated to primary WBA lightweight champion.

2023: WBA Lightweight Title

In 2023, Gervonta Davis held the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title and the regular version from 2019 to 2023.

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 Postponed

In October 2024, the scheduled fight between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. on December 14 was reported as postponed.

November 13, 2024: Davis vs. Roach Targeted for March 1, 2025

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 Confirmed for Barclays Center

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

December 14, 2024: Davis vs. Roach Postponed

Gervonta Davis's scheduled WBA lightweight title defense against Lamont Roach Jr., initially set for December 14, 2024, at Toyota Center in Houston, TX, was postponed in October 2024.

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

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

March 4, 2025: Roach's Camp Files Appeal

On March 4, 2025, Roach's camp filed an appeal to the NYSAC to overturn the draw decision in his fight against Davis.

August 20, 2025: Davis Announces Exhibition Fight with Jake Paul

On August 20, 2025, Gervonta Davis announced an exhibition fight with Jake Paul on November 14 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, to be livestreamed by Netflix. Davis expressed disengagement from boxing and criticized the sport's lack of loyalty, hinting at retirement after the exhibition.

November 2025: Davis Exhibition Fight with Jake Paul

In November 2025, Gervonta Davis was scheduled for an exhibition fight with Jake Paul.

January 16, 2026: WBA Announced Davis Stripped of Title

On January 16, 2026, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza announced that Gervonta Davis had been stripped of the WBA lightweight title due to his ongoing legal troubles and an arrest warrant for domestic violence.

January 17, 2026: WBA Downgrades Davis' Status

On January 17, 2026, the WBA downgraded Gervonta Davis' status to 'Champion in recess' due to his ongoing legal troubles.

January 19, 2026: Davis Stripped of WBA Lightweight Title

On January 19, 2026, it was revealed that Gervonta Davis had been stripped of the WBA lightweight title, with the decision initially announced on January 16, 2026, by WBA president Gilberto Mendoza due to domestic violence accusations and an arrest warrant.