Gervonta Davis criticised for avoiding American rival and entering talks for Vasyl Lomachenko fight by boxing legend

18/06/2024 12:28

Gervonta Davis has been urged to pursue a fight with Shakur Stevenson over Vasyl Lomachenko.

Davis picked up his latest win at the weekend with another huge KO over Frank Martin, to successfully make another defence of his WBA lightweight title.

A number of potential showdowns lay in wait, but promoter Bob Arum has confirmed contender Lomachenko is in talks to face ‘Tank’ next.

Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi has insisted that Davis’ fight with ‘Loma’ is too late, and he should be fighting Stevenson who is in his physical prime.

He told ProBox TV: "Now, I want to see Davis and Stevenson.That's my issue. That's my problem with boxing.

"They make fights when it's convenient for them when there's an advantage. Davis looked terrific [against Frank Martin]. I was very impressed with the performance.

“But Shakur Stevenson is a different proposition than anybody else. It's times ten when Shakur is in there because Shakur is the tall, rangy southpaw with a lot more IQ and a lot more versatility with his style.

"I'd love to see the fight. I'm saying this because I want to see the fight.

“I think Davis is very qualified for that fight. Do I edge Shakur? I've always edged Shakur. I think Davis is very qualified for that fight. He looks terrific.

"He's a thinker. It's not just the twitch and the power. It's also his understanding in there. He knows how to set things up.

” I want to see two get it on. Not later. I want to see them get it on now in their prime."

Davis has faced criticism in the past for his selection of opponents, but silenced much of it with a big KO win over Ryan Garcia in April 2023.

He is currently on a 30-fight win streak, and is considered arguably one of the biggest pay-per-view draws in boxing.

Lomachenko holds the IBF title, and a unification bout would make sense fr Davis, but Stevenson currently holds the WBC title.

Fans will be hoping that if Davis is to beat the Ukrainian in his planned clash, that the Stevenson fight will then be made for the three belts.

Stevenson has already announced his own return, making a defence of his belt on July 6 against Artem Harutyunyan.

Self-proclaimed ‘Killer Kur’ is on on a fine unbeaten run of his own having successfully graduated from the super-featherweight division after unifying the WBO and WBC world titles.

Davis also welcomed a shot against his domestic rival next, but it is understood that a fight with Lomachenko is the most advanced.