Gervonta Davis vs Vasyl Lomachenko in talks as Bob Arum provides possible date for blockbuster showdown

06/17/2024 11:43 AM

Top Rank chief Bob Arum insists Gervonta Davis and Vasyl Lomachenko are in talks to face each other next.

The pair have been linked with a fight for several years now to no avail.

However, Arum is ‘optimistic’ the bout can finally happen ‘sometime in November’ after restarting negotiations with Davis’ reps PBC following his stunning eighth-round knockout win against Frank Martin on Saturday night.

“We have been talking to the PBC people all along we will absolutely resume conversations next week. It won’t be the start of the negotiations,” Arum told Boxing News on Friday.

“Carl Moretti [of Top Rank] has been talking to Louis DeCubas [of PBC] for a couple of weeks now. Hopefully, we'll put it together for sometime in November. Nobody is dragging anybody to the table.

“Both sides know it's a big fight, which means they're looking forward to earning a lot of money, and they're both competitive guys.

"I'm optimistic that the negotiations will go well. You can never guarantee that, but PBC are professionals, and my guys are professionals, and they'll work it out.”

Davis has already made it clear that he wants to box the Ukrainian superstar next.

Ahead of his fight with Martin, one boxing fan posted on social media: “Gervonta Davis would never fight Vasyl Lomachenko.”

To which, Davis replied: “He’s after Frank. Let me get Frank first.”

The other fight that has been talked up heavily for Davis is a unification clash with WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson.

But Arum insists Lomachenko’s dominant stoppage win over George Kambosos Jr in May will have whetted fans’ appetites more than Stevenson’s points victory over Edwin De Los Santos in his last outing.

“At this point in time, Davis and Lomachenko is a bigger fight than Davis and Shakur,” Arum added.

“Particularly after Shakur’s last performance, which he won very easily but it was certainly not entertaining.

“But Shakur will get his opportunity, he’s a terrific fighter… but I think clearly right now if Tank is available, and with Lomachenko having a good victory over Kambosos that that is the fight everyone wants to see.”

It is more likely that Stevenson defends his green and gold strap against William Zepeda, who is currently ranked No.1 by the WBC, WBA, and IBF.

A solid performance there could elevate him into a fight against the winner of Davis vs Lomachenko with three belts on the line.