Gervonta Davis is in good condition, but promises to 'kick Frank Martin's ass' | Boxing News

AFTER a year away from the ring, Gervonta “Tank” Davis returns June 15 in what appears to be a good place.

The 29-year-old will defend his WBA lightweight title against Frank Martin at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Amazon Prime pay-per-view.

Davis, one of boxing's biggest stars, defeated Ryan Garcia in March 2023 in a modern-day superfight. His seventh-round stoppage cemented his reputation as a star, but problems outside the ring stalled any momentum gained from defeating “King Paradise.”

Following a November 2020 accident that injured four people, including a pregnant woman, he was sentenced last May to 90 days of house arrest, three years of probation and 200 hours of community service. Davis was then jailed for violating the terms of his sentence and ordered to serve the remainder of his sentence in a Baltimore prison. Still, his name continued to be linked to several big fights, from Shakur Stevenson to Teofimo Lopez.

Davis' trainer Calvin Ford noted that his fighter has matured and is in a better position. Boxing News “Tank” asked what was the reason for such self-improvement.

“I’m surrounded by good people, so I’m fine,” he said.

“To stay out of trouble is good. Staying on the sidelines,” he added.

Davis may not be everyone's cup of tea, but having him in the ring rather than away from it is good for the sport. When “Tank” Davis fights in town, people notice, celebrities take notice, and he's one of the few who can cross over into the mainstream. A place where boxing rarely gets the chance to visit. But what matters most to Davis is the people of Baltimore.

“A lot of people get it,” he says.

“I have never hidden my story, and I think many people might be interested in my story. I feel like a lot of people are reaching out to me.”

BN asked Davis what it's like to be a role model for those who look up to him.

“I wouldn't say I'm a role model, I'm just being myself. Trying to be great… I don’t know.”

Davis is a man of few words, but his performances in the boxing ring have left him undefeated in 29 fights to date. Next up is Frank Martin, a Derrick James-trained lightweight who is undefeated in 18 fights so far. Both fighters came face to face at the kickoff press conference yesterday (May 4) in Las Vegas and neither backed down, exchanging a lot of words that almost caused things to get out of hand.

When asked how the fight would end on June 15, Davis replied, “Kicked ass on the spot.”