Does Gervonta Davis Deserve So Much Criticism?

By: Sean Crose

Fairly or not, Gervonta “Tank” Davis is a supremely talented fighter with a reputation in some circles for lacking ambition. While he’s been a veritable knockout machine for over a decade now, Baltimore’s Davis has never truly met one of this peers in the ring, unless one considers Ryan Garcia as resting at the peak of Talent Mountain. None of this has seemed to have impacted Davis much. Now, however, the criticism might be carrying with it some sting, for the man just fought Lamont Roach to a draw in a pay per view event last weekend. That wasn’t supposed to happen.

Indeed, Roach was supposed to be handily dealt with by Davis. It didn’t work out that way, though. Roach fought well, so well that many, if not most, felt Roach should have been awarded the win after the final bell had been sounded (full disclosure: I had Davis winning a very competitive fight). The reality is that Davis’ vaunted power didn’t carry him to a win this time around. What’s more, Roach was able to throw and land effective shots of his own throughout the bout. It’s hard think of a single moment where Roach was being dominated. Again, things were supposed to have worked out differenty.

And then, of course, there’s the matter of Davis having taken a knee during the bout. Although something was bothering Davis’ eyes, that something didn’t come from a punch from Roach. Indeed, Davis claimed it was hair grease that had made it’s way onto his face in the heat and sweat of combat. Fair enough, but taking a knee generally means the fighter who takes that knee is seen as having been knocked down. That wasn’t the case on Saturday. The referee, who was about as confused as everyone else at that point, let the fighting continue without first giving Davis an eight count. It wasn’t the end of the world, but it certainly didn’t make Davis look good.

The truth, however, is that last Saturday night might have been a blessing for Davis. Unlike before, he now has something to prove. Davis could deal with criticism (fair or unfair) for not yet having faced Shakur Stevenson, who is seen as Davis’s equal. He can’t deal with criticism that he’s been “shown up,” however. And, to his credit, Davis seems eager and willing to face Roach again. It’s hard to complain about a star being so willing to risk a loss – which shows that maybe all that criticism tossed Davis’ way might not be so warranted after all.