Who Does Gervonta “Tank” Davis Fight Next?

After his monster knockout victory over Frank Martin in an excellent performance, the boxing world is already clamoring to see what’s next for its biggest superstar and the face of the sport, Gervonta “Tank” Davis. With his explosive style and charismatic presence, Davis has captured the attention of fans and pundits alike. Here’s a look at potential opponents from least likely to most likely.

No Chance:

Errol Spence Jr.

Frank Martin’s promoter, Errol Spence Jr., found himself at the center of a sudden and intense rivalry with Gervonta Davis. The feud, which played out on social media and in press conferences leading up to Davis vs. Martin, added a layer of intrigue to the bout. However, following Davis’s victory, the two appeared to have buried the hatchet, taking photos together and showing mutual respect. Considering that they are three weight classes apart, a fight between Davis and Spence is not realistic next or perhaps ever.

Devin Haney

Devin Haney, once a rising star, saw his stock fall after his defeat to Ryan García. Haney needs to rebuild his momentum and prove himself once again before he can be considered for a fight with Davis. While this matchup has potential down the line, it is unlikely to happen next as Haney works his way back into contention.

Edwin De Los Santos

Who cares?

A Little Chance:

William Zepeda

William Zepeda is an exciting young contender in the lightweight division. Undefeated and known for his hard-hitting style, Zepeda has built a solid following, particularly among Mexican boxing fans. Backed by Oscar De La Hoya and holding the number one contender spot in the WBA lightweight rankings, Zepeda could be a mandatory challenger for Davis. However, his relative lack of mainstream recognition makes this fight less likely.

Isaac Cruz

Isaac Cruz is one of the few fighters to have gone the distance with Gervonta Davis, earning respect and a cult following among Mexican fans. Since their initial encounter, Cruz has become the WBA junior welterweight champion. A rematch would be exciting and lucrative, but Cruz is set to defend his title against Rayo Valenzuela on August 3rd, making a fight with Davis unlikely to happen next. A rematch in 2025 seems more realistic.

A Good Chance:

Teofimo Lopez

Teofimo Lopez, the lineal and WBO junior welterweight champion, is a compelling potential opponent for Davis. Known for his exciting style, Lopez has expressed interest in fighting Davis, and Davis has reciprocated. However, Lopez’s high financial expectations and reputation for difficult negotiations could complicate matters. With Lopez scheduled to fight Steve Claggett on June 29th, the timing could work out, but the financial aspect remains a significant hurdle.

Shakur Stevenson

Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion, has a history with Davis that has evolved from casual acquaintances to bitter rivals. Both fighters have expressed interest in facing each other, but Stevenson’s lackluster performance in his win against Edwin De Los Santos in November 2023 has dampened enthusiasm for this matchup. Stevenson is set to fight Artem Harutyunyan on July 6th and needs a standout performance to reignite interest. Additionally, rumors of Floyd Mayweather, Davis’s former promoter and current rival, wanting to sign Stevenson add an extra layer of intrigue.

Ryan Garcia

The biggest event in boxing in 2023 was Gervonta Davis’s knockout victory over Ryan García. A rematch would undoubtedly be even bigger, especially after García’s dominant win over Devin Haney in April 2024. García has been campaigning for a rematch at a higher weight, and the renewed rivalry and high stakes make this a highly anticipated potential fight.

The Guy:

Vasyl Lomachenko

The current IBF lightweight champion, Vasyl Lomachenko, is the fight that the boxing world has been clamoring for. Promotional rivalries have previously prevented this bout from happening, but recent comments from Lomachenko’s promoter, Bob Arum, suggest that these barriers are no longer an issue. Arum has indicated that talks with PBC, the platform on which Davis fights, have already begun to stage the fight in November. This matchup is the most likely to happen next, offering a clash of styles and a battle between two of the best in the division.

The Wildcards:

Floyd Mayweather

A fight between Gervonta Davis and his former promoter, Floyd Mayweather, would be the ultimate showdown. The student vs. teacher dynamic, coupled with their bitter rivalry, makes this a tantalizing prospect. Davis has expressed interest in fighting Mayweather in the fall, and while it would undoubtedly be the biggest fight in boxing, it remains to be seen if Mayweather would come out of retirement for this bout.

Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao, a boxing legend and future hall of famer, is another intriguing wildcard. Already scheduled to fight an exhibition in July, Pacquiao is rumored to be considering a return to the ring to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios. However, a fight with Gervonta Davis would overshadow that and could rival the magnitude of a potential Mayweather fight. Whether Pacquiao is willing to come out of retirement for such a bout remains uncertain.