Gervonta Davis was asked about Shakur Stevenson again this week and he pulled no punches.
The two appear to be on a collision course in the ring at some point.
Davis first must take on Lamont Roach March 1st of next year however.
Speaking in a media scrum after the first Roach presser Tank said:
“Interviewer: Thanks for joining us! Why are you thinking about retiring?
Tank: Yeah, I’m retired. Why do you think I should continue? I know you called me a clown after the Tyson fight. Can you explain why you said that? Why would I even want to fight Tyson? And who told Mike to take that fight, anyway? Do you think it might have tarnished Mike’s legacy in a way?
Tank: Yeah, it definitely did. Let’s talk about the good things I’m doing outside of boxing. I’m building a housing project in my hometown, Baltimore. How did that idea come about and how did you make it happen?
Tank: We’re still building on it, and it’s working. There were talks about the possibility of facing Lomachenko. How close was that fight to happening?
Tank: I don’t think it was ever that close. He just wasn’t in the mood for it at that time.
Interviewer: I spoke with Stephen Espinoza about your potential fights in 2025, and he mentioned a rematch with Ryan Garcia and possibly a fight with Devin Haney. Are those fights you’d be interested in?
Tank: Honestly, I don’t want to retire yet, and I don’t think fans want to see me retire either. After this year, I’m out. I’m retiring.
Interviewer: Why are you thinking about retiring? What made you decide that?
Tank: I feel like I’ve done it all in boxing. I’ve achieved everything I wanted to. And you asked about Shakur, but what has he really done? Nothing. The younger fighters are looking better than him. You’ve got guys like Kean who are looking better than Shakur. He hasn’t accomplished anything.
Interviewer: So what do you say to people who think Tank is afraid of Shakur?
Tank: Afraid of what? Afraid of someone who doesn’t throw punches? Shakur’s all defense. You can’t win fights just by being defensive. That doesn’t work in boxing.
Interviewer: You said you’re retiring next year. How many fights do you want to have next year?
Tank: I’d say three fights. Three fights for sure.
Interviewer: Why are you retiring? What changed?
Tank: The business, the whole game, it’s just trash. It’s garbage.
Interviewer: If you had the opportunity to sign with a promoter like GTD (Mayweather Promotions), would you?
Tank: Yeah, but it should have happened by now. When I saw you at the Frank Martin press conference, retirement wasn’t even something I was considering. Now it’s something I’m talking about more. It’s just everything in boxing, and everything in life, honestly.
Interviewer: Where’s Calvin Ford and Leonard Ellerbe? Normally, they’d be around.
Tank: They’re around. But I’m just feeling like I might be losing the love for the sport.
Interviewer: So you’re fighting Rolando Romero on March 1st?
Tank: Yeah, I’ll be fighting Rolando. He’s from DC.
Interviewer: Why do things like this motivate you?
Tank: It’s just the grind. I’m focused on getting my money and doing it my way.
Interviewer: Do you think it’s getting harder to find the right fights because other fighters are avoiding you?
Tank: I don’t think about it like that. I don’t care about belts or anything like that. I’m focused on making money and getting out of the game.
Interviewer: How would you rate Rolando Romero’s skills compared to other fighters you’ve faced like Frank Martin and Ryan Garcia?
Tank: I’ve fought Rolando before, so I’m familiar with his style. He has good timing, and I think it’ll be a good fight, but I don’t expect to knock him out right away. As far as skills, he’s better than Frank Martin. Frank’s bigger, but Rolando’s quicker.
Interviewer: Is the Ryan Garcia rematch something you’d want next?
Tank: Yeah, I’d take it at 140 pounds. I’ll slap him when I see him.
Interviewer: Why do you want to fight him again?
Tank: I just want to make a statement. When I see him, I’ll slap him for sure.
Interviewer: Do you think the energy will change when you’re face-to-face with him again?
Tank: Yeah, it’s different when we’re face-to-face. I saw him try to talk tough after I said something on Twitter, but when we were in person, he didn’t have the same energy.
Interviewer: So, would you fight him again if the opportunity came up?
Tank: Yeah, I’ll slap him when I see him.
Interviewer: You said before that some fighters come off disrespectful. Do you think that’s part of the game?
Tank: It’s a part of it. Some of these young fighters try to show they’re something they’re not. But it can backfire when you put your name next to the greats. When I retire, my name will forever be next to the greatest.
Interviewer: How do you feel about being considered one of the greatest?
Tank: Honestly, I don’t care about being in the conversation with the greatest. Where I’m from, I’ll always be great to myself, and that’s all that matters to me.
Interviewer: After your fights, what’s next for you? What do you want to do?
Tank: I want to build my real estate portfolio and just separate myself from the limelight. I want to live my life without being seen.
Interviewer: You’ve been around for a while. Do you think it’s getting harder to find good competition because fighters are avoiding you?
Tank: I don’t care about that. I’m not worried about the belts. I’m here to make money and get out.
Interviewer: So, what do you think about Lomachenko as a fighter?
Tank: Lomachenko’s got a lot of skills. He’s more skilled than Frank Martin, but Frank is bigger. Lomachenko is quick and precise.
Interviewer: Will we see you fight anyone specific in 2025?
Tank: I’m not sure yet, but hopefully Ryan or someone at 140. We’ll see what happens.
Interviewer: What would you say to people who follow your career, especially younger fighters?
Tank: Stay true to yourself. Keep working hard, and don’t let distractions get to you. If I had a son, I wouldn’t want him to box. I’d have him play soccer instead. Soccer is safer.
Interviewer: You’re a fan of soccer then?
Tank: Yeah, I don’t have a favorite player, but I like Neymar. He’s good.
Interviewer: Any advice for young fighters coming up?
Tank: Just keep grinding. Boxing is tough, but if you want to make it, stay in the gym. Don’t let the distractions get to you.
Interviewer: Thanks for your time today, Tank. Anything else you want to add?
Tank: Just keep supporting me, and thanks for the love.”
That’s a lot to digest there.
Tank really comes across as motivated for Lamont Roach and is intent on doing damage in the ring.
Roll on March 1st.
