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 highly accomplished American professional boxer. He currently holds the WBA lightweight title, a title he also held previously. Davis's impressive career includes holding the IBF super featherweight title in 2017, the WBA super featherweight title twice between 2018 and 2020, and the WBA super lightweight title in 2021. He is known for his power and exciting fighting style.

Sections (5)

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

2006: National Silver Gloves Championship

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

2008: National Silver Gloves Championship

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

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: Davis' Record

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

October 2014: First Full Distance Fight

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.

February 20, 2015: Davis vs. Israel Suarez

On February 20, 2015, at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gervonta Davis stopped Israel Suarez in the first round by KO.

May 22, 2015: Davis vs. Alberto Mora

On May 22, 2015, at The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Gervonta Davis defeated Alberto Mora by technical knockout (TKO).

September 12, 2015: Davis vs. Recky Dulay

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

October 30, 2015: Davis vs. Cristobal Cruz

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

December 18, 2015: Davis vs. Luis Sanchez

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

April 1, 2016: Davis vs. Guillermo Avila

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

June 3, 2016: Davis vs. Mario Antonio Macias

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

November 15, 2016: Announcement of Davis vs. Pedraza

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

January 14, 2017: Davis Wins IBF Super Featherweight Title

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

May 7, 2017: Davis vs. Walsh Announcement

On May 7, 2017, it was announced that Gervonta Davis would travel to London, England for his first title defense against Liam Walsh, scheduled for May 20.

May 20, 2017: Davis Retains IBF Title Against Walsh

On May 20, 2017, Gervonta Davis successfully retained his IBF title by stopping Liam Walsh in the third round in London, England. Davis initially had trouble making weight. The fight aired live on Showtime in the U.S.

July 2017: Rumors of Davis on Mayweather-McGregor Undercard

In early July 2017, TMZ Sports reported that Gervonta Davis would feature in the co-main event of Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor.

August 26, 2017: Davis vs. Fonseca

On August 26, 2017, Gervonta Davis fought Francisco Fonseca. Davis was stripped of his IBF title after failing to make weight. Davis won the fight via controversial KO in round eight and earned a purse of $600,000. The IBF title remained vacant.

November 15, 2017: Davis's Return Announcement

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

2017: IBF Super Featherweight Title

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

January 24, 2018: Davis's Appearance on Broner vs. 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.

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, but did not mention a date or venue.

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

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

February 9, 2019: Davis vs. Mares Fight

On February 9, 2019, Gervonta Davis was supposed to fight Abner Mares at Pechanga Arena in San Diego on Showtime, later the venue was changed to Dignity Health Sports Park, in Carson, California.

February 2019: 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.

July 27, 2019: Davis Defeats Ricardo Núñez

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

December 28, 2019: Davis Wins WBA Lightweight Title

On December 28, 2019, Gervonta Davis fought and won against Yuriorkis Gamboa by twelfth-round technical knockout for the vacant WBA (Regular) lightweight title.

2019: WBA Regular Lightweight Title

In 2019, Gervonta Davis held the Regular version of the WBA lightweight title until 2023.

October 31, 2020: Davis vs. Léo Santa Cruz

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

2020: WBA Super Featherweight Title

From 2018 to 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 WBA (Regular) champion Mario Barrios at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Davis won by TKO in the eleventh round, securing the WBA (Regular) super lightweight title. Barrios revealed afterward that the fight had a 10lb rehydration clause.

October 6, 2021: Davis Announces Fight Against Rolando Romero

On October 6, 2021, Gervonta Davis announced that he would face his mandatory challenger, Rolando Romero, on December 5 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Showtime PPV. However, Romero was later replaced with Isaac Cruz.

2021: WBA Super Lightweight Title

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

January 2022: WBA Orders Davis vs. Romero Fight

In January 2022, the WBA ordered Gervonta Davis to defend his WBA (Regular) title against Rolando Romero after no charges were filed against Romero. The pair agreed to fight on May 28 at the Barclays Center in New York City.

January 7, 2023: Davis vs. Héctor García

On January 7, 2023, Gervonta Davis fought Héctor García on Showtime PPV at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., marking his first fight since splitting from Floyd Mayweather Jr. Davis won via eighth-round corner retirement after García complained about his eyesight.

February 24, 2023: Davis vs. Ryan Garcia Announced

On February 24, 2023, Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia was announced for April 22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout was 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 won the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title.

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 and retained his title by 8th round knockout.

October 2024: Davis vs. Roach Jr. Postponed

In October 2024, it was reported that the fight between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. was postponed.

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

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

November 29, 2024: 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.