Gervonta "Tank" Davis, the lightweight king, made a significant statement at a Tuesday press conference. He declared, "After next year I’m out of it," while promoting his March 1st fight against Lamont Roach. With a record of 30-0, Davis is highly renowned in the sport of boxing. However, fans have been eagerly awaiting a showdown between Davis and the likes of Shakur Stevenson, who is regarded as his equal.

Controversy Surrounding Shakur Stevenson

When the topic of a Stevenson fight arose on Tuesday, Davis asked rhetorically, "What has Shakur done? What has he done in the sport?" He further added, "The young one’s looking more better than him. Keyshawn (Davis) looking way more better ('That’s all I could do gang laugh at this goofy shit' Shakur responded afterward on social media)." This has led to Davis receiving his fair share of criticism for not having faced Stevenson in the ring. Former world titlist Bradley even told his YouTube channel viewers, "Whatever you want to say about Shakur, Tank is scared to step in the ring with him. Because if he wasn’t, he’d be trying to make that fight happen."

Roach's Chance

In all this, Lamont Roach often gets overlooked. He has a winning record and is confident of topping Davis. Roach said on Tuesday, "I’m going to show you all what happens when two dogs get in the ring together. And obviously I’m going to be the one coming out victorious." This is a significant opportunity for the Washington, D.C. native. But for other fighters facing Davis, it has also been a chance of a lifetime. Davis has a reputation for turning dreams into nightmares.

Retirement Speculations

It's important to note that many fighters have claimed retirement only to return to the ring. Tyson Fury is a recent example. So, when Davis indicates he's going to hang up the gloves in 2025, he shouldn't be taken too seriously. However, he may be serious about retirement. If he does retire, he will leave the sport with an impressive resume. There will be a sense of disappointment if Davis doesn't face someone like Stevenson before calling it a career.