Keyshawn Davis Rules Out Fight with Shakur Stevenson, Targets Gervonta Tank Davis Instead

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Keyshawn Davis confirmed today that he will not fight Shakur Stevenson due to a brotherly pact between the two boxers. This announcement effectively halts his pursuit of a match against the renowned Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, limiting his opportunities in the sport.

Davis, 13-0 with 9 KOs, recently captured the WBO lightweight title from Denys Berinchyk but has faced criticism from his contemporaries. Gervonta Davis indicated yesterday that for either Keyshawn or Shakur to earn a chance to fight him, they must first duel against each other. “Neither one of these guys has beaten anyone significant in their careers,” Tank stated, referring to Keyshawn and Stevenson. “It’s not a big ask; they should just fight. It’s not like I’m asking them to do something impossible.”

Following his title win, Keyshawn Davis expressed confidence in facing Tank, however, critics highlight inconsistencies in his match selections. Keyshawn has faced opponents like Berinchyk and a 36-year-old Jose Pedraza, instead of more competitive fighters like Andy Cruz, who has defeated him multiple times. Many observers label his matchmaking as a protective strategy similar to that seen with fellow Top Rank fighter Edgar Berlanga. They argue that he has avoided challenging fighters to maintain his perfect record.

“Tank must fight either me or Shakur before he retires,” Davis proclaimed, actively trying to generate interest in a fight with the reigning boxing star. However, to some, this seems more like an appeal for attention rather than a calculated career move, raising doubts about his competitive ambitions in boxing.

In contrast, Gervonta Davis has dismissed Keyshawn’s achievements, calling his performance against Berinchyk “garbage.” Despite Keyshawn’s assertions that he would succeed against Tank, Gervonta remains unconvinced and has yet to show any intent to arrange a match.

Following his own recent match, Shakur Stevenson faced scrutiny after his ninth-round TKO victory over Josh Padley last week, a fight many critics deemed underwhelming. Although Stevenson expressed satisfaction, he also acknowledged needing better competition to solidify his standing in the division. “I want to fight Gervonta so badly; that’s the biggest fight in boxing right now,” said Stevenson, mirroring Davis’s sentiments although critics question the validity of such a callout.

Both fighters are at a critical juncture in their careers, facing the dual pressures of expectations from fans and the heavyweight reputation of Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis. While they each seek high-profile bouts, the unlikelihood of them fighting each other complicates the landscape of the lightweight division.