By Max Seitelman: Adrien Broner is upset at Floyd Mayweather Jr. for his decision to trainer Devin Haney in what he views as a sign of disrespect to his own fighter Gervonta ‘Tank Davis, who is signed with Mayweather Promotions.
Broner thinks it’s a low move on Mayweather’s part and feels that he’s “Sonning” Tank Davis by training Haney, his rival, to try and improve him so he can beat him one of these days. Adrien says it’s a “spit in the face” to Tank Davis what Mayweather is doing in training his rival, Devin Haney.
Adrien doesn’t see why Mayweather would train a rival to his fighter, Tank Davis. Broner points out that Haney was already having success even without Mayweather giving him his pointers, so why would he need him?
Haney has already tasted success without Floyd, and he doesn’t need him. If Haney signs with Mayweather, he might not be any better off.
Previously, Mayweather reportedly wanted Tank Davis to move his training operations over to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he lives. Tank didn’t want to do that. He wants to stay in the East Coast where he lives, and do his own thing over there.
Why is Mayweather training Gervonta’s rival?
“I honestly think it’s bull-s***,” said Broner on Instagram live when asked what his reaction is to Floyd Mayweather Jr. training Devin Haney. “I don’t like it because I don’t get anything against Devin Haney.
“But he’s [Mayweather] promoting one of the biggest names in the sport of boxing right now, and that’s Gervonta Davis, so why would you go train his rival? I don’t get it. That’s some s***,” said Broner.
From the outside looking in, it seems bizarre for Mayweather to be training Devin Haney, the rival for Tank Davis. Mayweather has reasons for doing so, but you got to wonder.
If Mayweather training Haney is his way of trying to exert some control over Tank Davis by getting him in line to have him come to Las Vegas to get under his thumb, it probably won’t work.
This is a chess move on a chessboard, and it looks like it’s working in reverse. Tank Davis isn’t talking about wanting to come to Las Vegas, and it seems to be pushing him away from Floyd. It’s unclear how much time Gervonta has on his contract with Floyd, but you can bet that he won’t stay with him for a new deal.
Maybe if Mayweather gets in real thick with Haney, he can get him to sign with his Mayweather Promotions stable once his contract with Matchroom Boxing USA runs out. It’s doubtful. As far as I can tell, Mayweather’s fighters aren’t involved in massive fights. He has Badou Jack, and he never really hit it big.
Broner on Gervonta’s side
“I’m totally on Gervonta’s side and I’m siding with him, and that’s just what it is,” said Broner. “I don’t think Floyd should be training or giving pointers to a guy to beat his fighter.
“That’s very disrespectful and I don’t want to get into this. But I think this is a big a** spit in the face, and I don’t like it. I don’t like none of it. I think it’s almost like he’s sonning [disrepecting] him [Tank Davis],” said Broner.
Whether you’re a fan of Gervonta Davis or not, it looks terrible that Mayweather is training a fighter that isn’t with his promotional company and is someone that could face your fighter in the future.
If this is a situation where Mayweather is trying to teach Tank Davis a lesson, it’s a poor way of doing it. This isn’t something that’s being done in private.
It’s out in the open for everyone to see, and that makes it all the worse. Teaching Tank Davis a lesson in front of the entire world looks harsh, and Mayweather unknowingly burning a bridge. If there was any chance of Mayweather re-signing Gervonta Davis, you have to believe he blew that chance.
What’s odd is that the boxing public appears to be blaming Tank Davis for Mayweather training Haney. They feel that if Tank showed more motivation to get in the gym and training hard, then Mayweather wouldn’t be forced to do this.
Those fans are failing to see Tank’s side of things. His promoter is training his rival, and that looks so bad.
Devin Haney was doing good BEFORE Mayweather
“Haney was doing good without Floyd. That’s just like me,” said Broner. “I made such a big name with myself. I didn’t have to get up under him, and I stayed myself, and I’m a household name. Him [Haney] getting up under him [Mayweather] is only going to keep him under him,” said Broner.
Haney was doing good without Mayweather’s help, so it doesn’t make sense for him to start training with him. Whatever success that Haney now has, Mayweather can take credit for it, and use that as a lure to get other fighters to sign with his stable.
It would be different if Haney was just raw talent, who had never won anything and was just starting out, Then Mayweather could train him from scratch and try and turn him into a world champion. But Haney is already champion, and his skills are there in place. Haney doesn’t need Mayweather to get to the top because he’s already there.
Mayweather responds to Broner
“I’m giving back to the sport. At the end of the day, that’s a black kid that asked for my advice and asked for my help,” Mayweather said to Fighthype in giving his explanation why he’s training Devin Haney. ”
“Him and Tank aren’t fighting. Devin Haney is fighting only one more time at 135. He’s going to 140. Gervonta Davis fights at 130 [*editor’s note: Gervonta fights at 135, the same division as Haney],” said Mayweather.
If Floyd can’t turn Haney into the same talent that Tank Davis is, then he’ll have shot himself in the foot. Many believe that Tank Davis is a far better talent than Devin Haney, and Mayweather is driving him away. As such, if Mayweather can’t sign Haney, then he could wind up without Tank Davis as well.
