Gervonta Davis stunned the boxing world when he announced his intentions to step away from the sport by the end of 2025.
Davis, the WBA lightweight champion, is one of boxing’s biggest stars and is currently ranked No.8 in the world by Ring Magazine.
‘Tank’ defends his black and gold strap on March 1 against WBA super-featherweight champion Lamont Roach in Brooklyn.
After which, there are several big fights waiting for him at 140lbs including unification bouts with Vasyl Lomachenko and Shakur Stevenson.
Davis’ recent admittance that he intends to retire from boxing this year limits the likelihood of fans getting both of those fights before his career is said and done.
However, during a recent podcast with rapper Lil Yachty, Davis admitted he is more likely to take a break from boxing than hang up his gloves for good.
“Yeah I’ve been having those thoughts [on changing my mind],” he told A Safe Place Podcast of his reservations about retirement.
“I want to get myself together. I really want to get myself together.
“Not retire but take a break. I ain’t gonna lie, I already made a promise to Al [Haymon] we out of it.
“There’s stuff I need to work on, like being there for my kids, going to school, building myself up as a person, as a great human being.”
His most recent comments come after he left boxing fans with their heads in their hands at the launch press conference for his upcoming clash with Roach.
Davis muttered: “After next year I’m out of it.”
“Out of the sport, nah I can tell you my fights…
“It’s over with after this year. This is trash, garbage. I’m out.
“I’m fed up with it. I don’t care about belts. I don’t care about none of that.
“I’m worried about getting my money and getting out of there. I’m just fed up. It’s not even boxing. It’s everything. I have kids, too.
“I just had a boy. I don’t want to have to keep fighting and getting punched and all that.
“I’ll probably be building my real estate portfolio, just trying to separate myself from the limelight.
“I just wanna be able to make money and stay out the way, that’s it. I want to be living without being seen.”
As good as Davis is, he has been regularly criticised by members of the boxing fraternity for having a thin résumé.
His best win, on paper, came against Ryan Garcia, however, the 10lbs rehydration clause inserted into ‘King Ry’s’ contract has left an asterisk next to the win for many fans.
Furthermore, Davis has never unified his belts with an active world champion.
‘Tank’ has scooped world honours in two separate weight classes (super featherweight and lightweight).
But he will have to challenge himself against the divisional elite if he wants to be remembered as an all-time great.
