Gervonta Davis is an indisputable superstar in the sport, drawing huge gates and at-home audiences to watch him do what he does.
On 28 of 30 occasions, that has been knockouts. Davis has been taken the distance by just two men in his career – German Ivan Meraz in an early six rounder and Isaac Cruz more recently in 2021.
Perhaps the only thing preventing many people having him at the top of their pound-for-pound best lists is activity and calibre of opponents, but his latest two stoppage wins over previously undefeated fighters, Ryan Garcia and Frank Martin, and the promise of unifications in the lightweight division could soon see that change.
During the run-up to the Martin fight in an interview with PPV.com, ‘Tank’ Davis named his top five active fighters, first opting for Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez as number one before putting himself in ahead.
One – Gervonta Davis
There’s no doubt the power is pound-for-pound, and that often overshadows ‘Tank’s impressive footwork and head movement. Although he’s happy to drop rounds to opponents, it’s not often they’re let off the hook for long.
Two – Canelo
Canelo has been ‘the face of boxing’ in the eyes of most for some time now, a four-weight world champion who is yet to be beaten at super-middleweight and only come up short in a 65-fight career against Floyd Mayweather and light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.
Three – David Benavidez
The man most want to see face Canelo, David Benavidez is an undefeated two-time super welterweight champion with a relentless come-forward approach that means few fighters see out the distance with him. After failing to land the Canelo fight despite years of chasing, he has decided to move up to light-heavyweight and become mandatory for the winner of Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol.
Four – Naoya Inoue
Naoya Inoue is that rare breed of lighter fighter that gets plenty of knockouts. He is one of three men to be two-division undisputed in the four belt era – alongside Terence Crawford and Oleksandr Usyk, who is missing from this list but not many others. The current super-bantamweight rules is as big a star in Japan as they come but gets recognition worldwide for his skills.
Five – Terence Crawford
Terence Crawford is the man many have at number one on their list following a dismantling of Errol Spence Jr to become undisputed welterweight champion last year. The switch-hitter from Omaha recently made his debut in the 154 ranks and beat Israil Madrimov to join Canelo and Inoue in becoming a four-weight world champion.