By Dan Ambrose: Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis isn’t concerned about Keith’One Time’ Thurman talking of wanting to fight him at 147 because he feels he’s no longer a relevant fighter. Davis thinks that Thurman, 32, isn’t even worth mentioning at this point.
Tank says the former welterweight champion Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) hasn’t stayed relevant by being active in the last three years since his loss to Manny Pacquiao in July 2019.
Thurman could have fought anyone to stay active, but he’s chosen to sit and do nothing. Due to this, Tank (25-0, 24 KOs) feels that Thurman has gotten old, and his time has passed him by.
It’s hard to believe Thurman hasn’t fought in three years, and it’s a massive waste of potential for fighters like him. All that talent that he’s wasted sitting on the couch, flipping channels.
Tank Davis is defending his WBA lightweight title against Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz (22-1-1, 15 KOs) on December 5th on Showtime pay-per-view at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It should be an excellent fight.
Gervonta says Thurman’s time has passed
“Keith Thurman, we know who Keith Thurman is. He’s a guy that says many things, but he doesn’t do nothing,” said Gervonta Davis to The Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer.
“He says all this stuff. When was the last time he fought? Manny Pacquiao? When was that? As far as boxing-wise, he’s getting old at boxing.
“Come on, bro. You got to be active somewhere, and he’s not even worth mentioning no more. There’s a new generation of boxers, and I have to worry about people that are coming up now.
“I’m like, ‘I got to put him on my list that I got to watch out for,'” said Gervonta about some of the rising lightweight contenders. “Nobody is worried about Keith Thurman. Come on, bro. Your time has passed,” said Tank.
Thurman is another example of what happens with fighters once they get a taste of big money.
‘One Time’ Thurman has been missing in action [MIA] ever since he got a big payday against Pacquiao 856 yesterday’s ago.
Davis open to a Teofimo fight
“Me and Shakur [Stevenson] have been in camp together,” said Gervonta. “He knows I’m one of the top guys. He’s one of the guys I brought into camp when he was fresh off his Olympic run.
“He felt that nobody else could see him, but I’m that guy. I’m just ready for it all. When the smoke clears, I’ll be here. I don’t want to do no back and forth with no other fighter. That’s why I want to bring them up, but I know we’re in boxing.
“I’m here. I’m waiting for the next generation, and I got people on my list. I’m going to be ready for sure. I’m not going nowhere at all.
“They don’t call the shots, but if that’s what they want,” said Gervonta when told that Teofimo Sr. says he wants Teo to fight Tank in September 2022 AFTER he faces undisputed 140-lb champion Josh Taylor in April.
“They should focus on Josh Taylor then, not me,” said Tank. “And he [Teofimo] got a fight in front of him already [against George Kambosos Jr. this Saturday, November 27th]. Like I said, I’m here; I’ll be here. I’m here to make whatever fight happen, said Gervonta.
If Teofimo weren’t fighting Josh Taylor in April, it would be worth looking forward to seeing Teo take on Tank Davis in September 2022. The chances of Teofimo beating Taylor are slim because that’s too big of a step up in class for him.
I mean, it’s one thing for Teofimo to beat an injured Vasily Lomachenko. Still, it’s an entirely different reality when you’re talking about Teo going up against a young, healthy Josh Taylor at 140.