“It’s trash, garbage…I’m out of it,” declared Gervonta Davis, addressing a crowd of reporters as he announced his intention to retire before 2026. The unexpected revelation has left the boxing world stunned. As the ‘face of boxing’, Davis remains one of the sport’s biggest pay-per-view draws. A month ago he turned 30. So he still has many more years of boxing left in him. Why should he contemplate retirement at this stage when he literally rules the sport?
The Baltimore native’s announcement has sparked widespread speculation. Some wonder what might have prompted such a decision. Others reflect on whether Davis has already achieved enough in his decade-long career to justify retiring with his legacy intact. It’s undeniable that Gervonta Davis has earned millions. But has he reached the uppermost echelons of the sport to retire with an unblemished reputation? Social media personality and boxing commentator, Showbizz The Adult, believes there’s more to the story.
To build his case, he drew an analogy with Gervonta Davis’ former mentor and promoter, Floyd Mayweather Jr. The two parted ways two years ago. An initial phase witnessed the two enjoying friendly terms. However, their relations subsequently turned acrimonious with a public feud surfacing early this year.
Showbizz The Adult went back to May 5, 2007; a 30-year-old Mayweather Jr. faced Oscar De La Hoya for the middleweight title. The undefeated former champion won the hotly contested match by a split decision. However, post-fight he hinted at retirement. “Because I’ve nothing else to prove, I’ve made a ton of money in the sport,” said Mayweather Jr.
According to the online content creator, after years of fighting the best in the business, perhaps the Olympic bronze medalist felt worn out. “When he retired, after De La Hoya, he was crying, “Y’all don’t appreciate.” He got scarred because Floyd thought he was doing all the right things and fighting them all, and people kept criticizing him, and it hurt his feelings,” said Showbizz The Adult.
The boxing commentator theorized that despite all he did to reach the heights of boxing, Mayweather Jr. always found himself under scrutiny. Hence a thought emerged: “‘F’ everybody, I’m going to do this for me!” He posited that Mayweather may have passed this mindset on to Davis during their time together.
A Choice Between Legacy and Wealth
“Forget everybody, get to the bag—Currency Over Legacy,” became Mayweather Jr.’s mantra. Showbizz The Adult added, “It’s easy to know because as soon as Floyd saw me, he pulled into VIP, and he had words to say to me: You don’t think I’m the greatest? Why not? He’s tired of all the criticism. He’s like, Forget the noise; they’re going to criticize you anyway. Get to the bag and rob them.”
However, he opined that the rationale wasn’t fair on Gervonta Davis. “You’re grabbing all of your insecurities and you put it on ‘Tank,’” the online content creator stated. Now the Baltimorean has reached a stage where he finds himself among the richest sports personalities in the world. However, when it boils down to legacy, he has nothing to boast.
Showbizz’s perspective raises an important question: Has Davis truly weighed the balance between financial success and securing an undeniable legacy? Given his record of facing and defeating top opponents, doubts about his place in boxing history may seem unwarranted to some. Yet, the debate remains open.
As Davis nears the potential end of his career, the boxing community and fans are left to ponder his legacy. Will he be remembered as a dominant force in the ring, or will his focus on financial gain overshadow his achievements? Only time will tell.
What’s your opinion on Gervonta Davis’ career trajectory and legacy?
