Gervonta Davis: I'm Ready To Follow in Mayweather's Footsteps
Jan 2, 2017 • 9:09 PM ET
By Miguel Rivera, photo by PBC
Gervonta "Tank" Davis is young, talented and some believe a bit arrogant. He is convinced that soon he will fulfill his destiny of being a world champion.
Although he has only 16 fights on the professional level, Davis will have his first world title fight on January 14 when he challenges Jose "Sniper" Pedraza, the IBF super featherweight world champion. The Showtime televised fight take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
"Since I was a teenager, this has been my dream. I always believed that I was born to be a champion. I trust my abilities, I recognize that Pedraza is a great fighter, but he will not be able to deal with he's never seen in the ring before," Davis told Carlos Gonzalez.
"People will form their opinions, but I know what I bring to the table. Once I arrive on January 14, those who have said that I do not have the experience will realize what I can do on the big stage. It's up to me to have a perfect performance that night. If it wasn't the perfect moment, I wouldn't have accepted the fight. I feel that I am ready for the bright lights, to be face to face in front of Pedraza."
Davis is promoted by retired former five division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. - who is the most financially successful fighter in history.
"I have seen Pedraza fight several times. He is a good fighter, I will not take anything away from him, but I have seen everything and he will not bring anything new. I want to be a young champion, just like Floyd was. He won his first title with only 17 fights and he was 21 years old. I'm ready to meet the expectations that are placed on me and follow in the footsteps of Floyd. "
"I'm ready, mentally and physically. It's hard for a young boxer to be mentally prepared, but I'm so ready on the way to the fight that it's hard to believe. I have confidence, I have no doubts that it will be a great fight and I will finish at the top. It is difficult to have to wait until [the day of the fight], but I am learning that I must be patient and the day will come. There is no reason to be in a hurry."
