Haughty? Maybe. Cocky? Sometimes. But petty? Now that’s going somewhere. That’s not a characteristic most boxing fans would associate with Gervonta Davis. But Devin Haney seems to differ. In the recent interview with Naji Chill, the former undisputed champion shared some unfiltered thoughts on the way Tank conducts his business. Two weeks from now, after a year-long break, Devin Haney will make his much-anticipated return.
At the Riyadh Season’s ‘Fatal Fury: City of Wolves,‘ Haney will face former champion Jose Ramirez. On the same card, marking his comeback, bitter rival Ryan Garcia will fight Rolando Romero. With Teofimo Lopez also defending his title on ‘Fatal Fury,‘ it makes for an intriguing fight night. So with so much happening in the 135–140-pound division, where does Tank Davis fit in? Lately, the lightweight champion has been under scrutiny. If the way the Lamont Roach fight unfolded was met with disapproval, his silence on the showdown with Shakur Stevenson seems to have taken a toll on public perception.
In ‘Cigar Talk‘s latest episode, the conversation with Devin Haney took an interesting turn. Naji Chill remarked how Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia’s names have become so intertwined. Despite their bitter animosity, their names will always be taken up together. The former undisputed lightweight champion pointed out it had always been like that.
Perhaps the connection was largely due to their similar ages. “It’s been like that even since we was kids so you used to it. I’m used to it, yeah, for sure. I’m sure he’s used to it too. It’s always been like that. We’ve always been just attached to it because we’ve always been close to the same age,” Haney said.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 29: Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia face off during the Ryan Garcia v Devin Haney press tour at Avalon Hollywood & Bardot on February 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images)
The response sparked Naji Chill’s curiosity. In a lot of ways, the quartet of Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Teofimo Lopez, and Gervonta Davis resembles the ‘Four’ Kings’—Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, and Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
But the ’80s greats fought each other consistently, sometimes more than once. In contrast, the current era’s ‘Four Kings’ have been unsuccessful in engaging one another.
Devin Haney: Tank needs to turn things up a notch
Naji Chill asked, “So that doesn’t bother you in the program, cuz it didn’t feel like at one point, like I said, it was, you know, obviously there was the whole Four Kings era and all of that, you were doing your thing, but now just the way how crazy the fight went, it’s like y’all are forever going to.”
Haney replied that he’s not the kind of guy who gets emotional or defensive when people compare him to other fighters. To make a case, he called out Gervonta Davis. Tank often gets upset if someone brings up another fighter in the same breath as him. Haney found it childish.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 07: Gervonta Davis punches Hector Luis Garcia in their WBA World Lightweight Championship bout at Capital One Arena on January 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
“He gets mad when, like, somebody mentions his name or some sh*t like that. That’s, like, that’s some female sh*t to me, like, I don’t like it,” Haney clarified. He pointed out that you need rivals in boxing, someone to fight against, and that’s how the sport works. Without a big-name ‘dance partner,’ a fighter doesn’t get paid or build hype. Haney even highlighted past legendary rivalries like Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya.
Now, everyone knows how Gervonta Davis doesn’t appreciate comparisons with other champions or fighters. Remember what he said about Shakur Stevenson’s resume?
But does it hold any truth? More than being petty, it might be due to where he stands in the boxing world today. As one of the faces of boxing, perhaps he feels that he has earned the right to command a competition that matches his level and standards.
What’s your take? Do you find yourself agreeing or disagreeing with Devin Haney’s contention about Gervonta Davis?
The post “Some Female S**t”: Devin Haney Shatters Gervonta Davis’s Gangster Image With the Ultimate Disrespect appeared first on EssentiallySports.