Calvin Ford and Gervonta “Tank” Davis‘ journey to the top was marked by deep losses, especially the tragic death of Quaadir Gurley, a close family friend and a key influence in Davis’s life. For Davis, Gurley was the reason Davis stepped into the ring in the first place.
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Gurley was a father of six, a promising boxer and a mentor who first brought Davis to the gym, sparking a lifelong commitment to the sport. His story came to a tragic end in 2013 when he was shot and killed in New Jersey at just 24.
His loss sent shockwaves through the community, particularly affecting Ford and Davis, who would later dedicate fights to his memory.
Although Gurley was not Davis‘ formal coach, his influence was profound. It was Gurley’s introduction to boxing that set Davis on the path to becoming one of the sport’s brightest stars.
Davis often credits Gurley for the early inspiration that helped him rise above the struggles of their shared Baltimore upbringing and achieve greatness in the ring. Gurley’s legacy, though cut short, continues to inspire Davis and serves as a testament to the power of mentorship.
“Angelo Ward, Ronald Gibbs, and Coach Calvin’s son-they’re guys who died and were such a major influence on my life.” Davis said, “Actually, many young men I used to look up to are either dead or in jail. Whenever I fight, I feel like their legacy is going into the ring with me. It’s a big responsibility, but I’ll take that.”
Who killed Quaadir Gurley?
The circumstances of Gurley’s death were particularly tragic. He was killed by Isiah Greene, who was 24 at the time and had a troubling history with the law.
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Just recently out on bail for a previous violent offense, Greene shot Gurley in a case that devastated those who knew him.
Only a few days after the shooting, Greene was arrested by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and charged with murder and multiple weapons offenses. His bail was set at $500,000 and the legal proceedings would stretch out over years.
Greene faced three trials before any resolution was reached. He was eventually convicted of illegal firearm possession in the third trial, but the jury couldn’t agree on more serious charges, including first-degree murder.
Ultimately, Greene entered a plea deal in February 2015, pleading guilty to second-degree reckless manslaughter. He received a six-year prison sentence, running concurrently with other sentences related to weapons offenses and a separate assault case.
