Gervonta Davis, the WBA lightweight champion, is often called the “Face of Boxing.” However, not everyone agrees that the Baltimore-born fighter deserves such a prestigious title. One of his outspoken critics, YouTuber Showbizz The Adult, recently shared a passionate critique of Davis’ career, also drawing parallels to Floyd Mayweather and Vasyl Lomachenko.
Davis is set to defend his WBA title in a fight against Lamont Roach in Brooklyn, New York. This matchup has sparked criticism, with many claiming that Roach, who usually competes in the super featherweight division, poses little challenge to Davis. Critics have suggested that Davis is avoiding tougher opponents. Initially, Davis was in talks to face Ukraine’s Vasyl Lomachenko in a unification bout. However, these discussions fell apart, with Lomachenko citing a desire to spend more time with his family after defeating George Kambosos Jr. in his last fight. Some have speculated that Lomachenko’s age played a role in Davis’ willingness to fight him, despite Lomachenko’s continued success against elite opponents.
View this post on Instagram
Showbizz The Adult has been particularly critical of Davis’ career choices, accusing him of avoiding significant challenges. He questioned Davis’ legacy, saying, “Imagine fighting since you were six years old, being discovered by a legend like Floyd Mayweather, and then reaching 30 without having faced the top names in the sport.” Showbizz pointed out that while Lomachenko has fought a string of high-profile opponents like Kambosos, Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez, and Guillermo Rigondeaux, Davis has yet to prove himself against similar competition.
Davis, who was discovered by Mayweather in 2015 and signed to Mayweather Promotions, has faced scrutiny for his career decisions. Showbizz claimed Davis’ latest opponent, Lamont Roach, represents yet another example of the boxer taking an easier path. Davis has also hinted at retiring by the end of 2025, stating he is tired of boxing politics and wishes to focus on therapy.
The prospect of Davis retiring without fighting top contenders such as Lomachenko or Shakur Stevenson has drawn concern from boxing fans and analysts. Former rival Liam Walsh expressed his hopes for Davis to fight these elite competitors before stepping away from the sport. Walsh praised Stevenson, saying, “I think Shakur could beat anybody. He’s brilliant.” He also maintained hope for a Lomachenko-Davis matchup, though he acknowledged uncertainty about Lomachenko’s ambitions at this stage of his career.
Despite the criticisms, Davis has defended his decisions, citing personal and professional challenges. Whether he will face Lomachenko, Stevenson, or other top contenders before retiring remains to be seen. Many believe these fights are crucial for cementing his legacy, but only time will tell if Davis will take on these challenges before the end of his career.