Tank Davis Slammed For Avoiding Shakur – ‘Loma Is 175 Years Old’
Paulie Malignaggi says Gervonta Davis is ducking Shakur Stevenson.
The comments were made following Davis’ eighth-round stoppage win over Frank Martin. That was Davis’ first win in 14 months as he defended his WBA Lightweight Title. After the win, Davis was asked about his next steps. The boxer stated that he wanted ‘all’ the big names. When Shakur’s name was mentioned, Davis stated that it would be a good fight to make.
However, current reports indicate that Vasiliy Lomachenko is the favorite to get that fight next. Loma is 36 years old and is the current IBF Lightweight Champion. He defeated George Kambosos Jr. in his last fight to win the vacant IBF belt. Although that may be the case, Loma is not the same fighter. His losses to Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney have shown a decline. Davis had been linked with Loma throughout the years, only to stay silent over facing the Ukrainian. Although the fight has now been mentioned, Malignaggi wanted to see a fight with Stevenson next.
Malignaggi Reacts
“They talked about Lomachenko at the post-fight press conference. Stevenson was always mentioning Lomachenko’s name. Now that Lomachenko is 175 years old and he still looks good, but you’re [Tank Davis] naming Lomachenko at the post-fight press conference [last Saturday night], but now Stevenson is the prime guy who doesn’t represent a risk that you want to take.
“This is my issue here. When I wanted to see Davis and Lomachenko, I wanted to see Davis and Lomachenko. I don’t need to see Davis and Lomachenko when it’s too late already. Now, I want to see Davis and Stevenson. Guess what? Nobody is talking about Davis and Stevenson. That’s my issue. That’s my problem with boxing,” Malignaggi said
A fight with either will be a huge unification. Facing Lomachenko will generate more money. The Ukrainian has a style which is much more appealing to the eye. He has also accomplished his three-weight titles more impressively than Shakur. Stevenson’s last fight against Edwin De Los Santos did not help his brand. While he picked up the WBC Lightweight Title, he was booed during the fight.
Ford Reacts
His defensive style did not sit well with fans. Shakur justified it because he had injured his hand coming into the fight. That made him less of a spectacle to watch, with Davis’ team wondering if the fight was worth the risk. Davis has said Shakur is on his radar. However, Davis’ coach, Calvin Ford, called for the Loma fight to be the next. That will leave fans waiting for a Davis-Shakur fight until next year at the least.
“It’s a great fight. It’s just the heads that need to put the fight together, and it’ll happen. I think that’s a great fight for the world. He’s going to. Look at every fighter that fought Tank. They got uplifted, every one of them. Go back and look,” Ford stated
Lomachenko must decide if he desires to take that risk. He is not in his prime, while Davis is in the best form of his career. Lomachenko has nothing else to prove, while Davis has several options at even 140 against Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney. However, one thing Davis has shown is the ability to take the fights at the right time. All roads appear to point to Lomachenko next.
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