Paulie Malignaggi, boxing analyst, believes Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is swerving a unification battle towards WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson.
Malignaggi was annoyed at listening to Tank Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) mentioning Vasily Lomachenko’s identify final Saturday night time following his win over Frank Martin reasonably than Shakur’s.
IBF light-weight champion Lomachenko is 36 years previous, and Malignaggi feels he’s not in his prime at this stage of his lengthy profession. He’d desire that Tank battle the 26-year-old Shakur (21-0, 10 KOs), who continues to be within the prime of his profession.
From Tank’s perspective, he needs to battle somebody who will make an entertaining battle and can look to interact. Shakur’s defensive combating model focuses on not getting hit and pecking away with jabs.
Age and Prime Considerations
“They talked about Lomachenko on the post-fight press convention. Stevenson was at all times mentioning Lomachenko’s identify,” mentioned Paulie Malignaggi to Probox TV about his wanting Shakur Stevenson to be Gervonta Davis’s subsequent opponent.
“Now that Lomachenko is 175 years previous and he nonetheless seems to be good, however you’re [Tank Davis] naming Lomachenko on the post-fight press convention [last Saturday night], however now Stevenson is the prime man who doesn’t symbolize a danger that you just need to take,” mentioned Malignaggi, making it clear that Tank Davis is ducking Shakur in favor of the 36-year-old Lomachenko.
It is sensible that Tank is focused on combating Lomachenko now as a result of he can’t afford to attend for much longer. The extremely achieved Ukrainian fighter will retire quickly, so it’s actually now or by no means for Tank. In distinction, Shakur is younger sufficient for Tank Davis to battle in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later. Shakur will likely be round for a very long time.
“That is my subject right here. After I wished to see Davis and Lomachenko, I wished to see Davis and Lomachenko. I don’t have to see Davis and Lomachenko when it’s too late already. Now, I need to see Davis and Stevenson.
“Guess what? No one is speaking about Davis and Stevenson. That’s my subject. That’s my drawback with boxing,” mentioned Malignaggi. “They make fights when it’s handy for them when there’s a bonus. Davis seemed terrific [against Frank Martin.]. I used to be very impressed with the efficiency.’
Shakur’s Latest Efficiency and Recognition
Malignaggi forgets that Shakur got here off a horrible efficiency towards Edwin De Los Santos final November, and his reputation is at an all-time low after that battle.
After the way in which Shakur fought, you’ll be able to’t blame Tank for not wanting something to do with combating him as a result of few fighters do. Nobody needs to chase a runner across the ring for twelve rounds after which be on the receiving finish of a controversial choice like we noticed with De Los Santos.
“The way in which he was capable of go and get that win, however come on. Shakur Stevenson is a special proposition than anyone else,” mentioned Malignaggi. “The little little bit of issues that you just noticed Frank giving Davis. It’s occasions ten when Shakur is in there as a result of Shakur is the tall, rangy southpaw with much more IQ and much more versatility together with his model.”
Malignaggi is off together with his excessive reward of Shakur, who received’t have the identical success as Martin did towards Tank Davis as a result of he could be afraid to let his palms go along with energy pictures.
Shakur’s Defensive Type
Shakur would throw single pictures and run. That received’t be efficient towards Tank as a result of he will likely be successful rounds primarily based on his stress and more durable pictures.
“I’d like to see the battle. I’m saying this as a result of I need to see the battle. I believe Davis may be very certified for that battle. Do I edge Shakur? I’ve at all times edged Shakur. I believe Davis may be very certified for that battle. He seems to be terrific,” mentioned Malignaggi.
“He’s a thinker. It’s not simply the twitch and the ability. It’s additionally his understanding in there. He is aware of how you can set issues up. I need to see two [Shakur and Tank] get it on. Not later. I need to see them get it on now of their prime,” mentioned Malignaggi.
Shakur wants to just accept William Zepeda’s problem and show that he can battle this man in a struggle with out getting on his bike like he at all times does. Transferring as much as 140 or 147 kilos would permit Shakur to extend his reputation towards the highest fighters in these weight courses.
Sadly, Shakur would possible have issue getting fights in these divisions, too, except he had been keen to take a harmful man like Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
