A funny thing happened last week as Gervonta 'Tank' Davis went on his press tour to promote his exhibition bout against Jake Paul that takes place in mid-November. It turns out that his real fight is against his own fans. Yes, the same crew that had a cult-like obsession with him which enabled and excused much of his past behavior, have even had enough of the shenanigans.
What brought about this change of heart from his staunchest of loyalists?
Davis had the temerity to tell the inconvenient truth.
MVP
At one of the press conferences when he was asked by a fan if he would ever face the likes of Shakur Stevenson, or any of the other marquee boxers that campaign around 135. Davis responded that people like him should basically stick to being a fan. In other words, shuddup and know your role.
So let's deal with these statements from Davis, who has become a legitimate attraction in the sport of boxing. No, he hasn't reached the popularity of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, but he is that rare American boxer who can do legitimate numbers at the box-office in multiple big city markets. His exciting style has gained him a legion of fans. The assumption is that he's become a millionaire through his efforts.
But here's the truth, boxers do not, as some have stated, do this for our entertainment. And to be fair, they don't have to. For them, it's their chosen profession. It's a job. No, it's not like working in a cubicle as a sales rep, but the work they do in the squared ring is a job. And the truth of that matter is that they do this for money. It's how they make a living. There is no real prerequisite for anybody to have a certain love for their job, but requirements that come with it.
@lunatoonboxing
I consider myself lucky in that I really enjoy the jobs that I have and who I work with. But at the same time I wouldn't do it for free, either. I mean, wouldn't that make it a hobby? Getting hit in the head isn't the same as collecting stamps.
And this here is going to upset some of you, but in an industry where you are constantly weighing risk-versus-reward, contracted minimums and constantly trying to create the illusion of invincibility, boxers and their management don't give a damn about what we the fans want. The goal is to always take the path of least resistance for the greatest reward possible. Yeah, they love your adulation and blind devotion, but they really don't care about our desires. They just want you to buy whatever slop they serve up to you.
Why is he fighting Paul?
Because it pays a lot. That's why. Yeah, it's a circus, but it's a very well paying one. Certainly more than a rematch with Lamont Roach does.
Ring Magazine
Be honest, don't we all look for jobs that pay well and the work isn't all that difficult? That's why most people would rather be the CEO of a company than the custodian. And this is no knock on the latter, it's honest work -- but it simply does not pay as well. For Davis, facing the slick and well-schooled Stevenson simply is a bit too difficult for the compensation involved.
Don't lie, you'd probably make the same decision. Who doesn't like an easy buck?
Fighters are free to guide their careers any way they want. Fans, have the right -- not the obligation -- to support what they choose to. That's the power of the consumer.
What really raised the ire of his fans was this post from Davis later in the week:
It set off a firestorm with his followers for some reason. Admittedly there is a bit of irony in this statement given that many believe that his upcoming event is part of the ongoing 'death' of boxing. It's like Dr. Jack Kevorkian complaining of his patients passing away prematurely. Cue Alanis Morissette.
Many of these individuals who have staunchly defended him throughout the years and reveled at him not facing Stevenson for whatever reason, have now drawn the line, here. It's funny, but this fan base once lived vicariously through the money Davis made. Not sure if they got a cut of the action, but they sure did have a vested interest in his bank account. Well, maybe not all money is good money, I guess.
Suddenly, the sanctity of the sport matters. Better late than never -- but is it too late?
The same people who help create this monster, are now fighting with it.
So they're not going to just stick to being fans?
