SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 23: GERVONTA DAVIS MAKES DEMANDS FOR SAUDI ARABIA FIGHT WITH DEVIN HANEY
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 23 Jan 2024
Gervonta Davis has revealed his demands with Saudi Arabian sports authority after an announcement by its Sports Chairman Turki Alalshikh that he likes to bring “Tank” to his country together with archrival and former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs).
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Turki told DAZN as quoted by World Boxing News: “I want him [Gervonta Davis]. I am sending a message now from you to [Al] Haymon. Let’s do a job, brother. But Haney, I want to see Haney in my country [too]. I am sending messages from you now to him. I will try to do it in 2024. Of course, we want him [to fight] in my country [of Saudi Arabia].”
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Davis aired his stipulation in exchange for a nod to fight in Saudi Arabia. “They made me mad. If they want me, they must send something to my front door, like two Ferraris or something! Like before I even think about going over there,” Davis said.
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That order by Davis is not difficult for Alalshikh to arrange, but any fight by Davis in the Middle East can affect the United States’ hold on boxing entertainment. Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) sold 1.3 million Pay Per Views in his fight against Ryan Garcia, which would threaten the American market if they decide to transfer his next fight to Saudi.
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The Davis vs Garcia match had a revenue of $22.8 million, an amount that the Saudi gate receipts could not match. But they could pay that sum in advance, which could convince Davis to accept the Riyadh offer.
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Gervonta Davis, a 29-year-old boxer from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, has reigned supreme in multiple weight classes throughout his career. He has captured several world championships, including the WBA regular super featherweight title, the WBA regular lightweight title, and the WBA regular super lightweight title.
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Haney, age 25, of San Francisco, California, USA, has held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight title. He was formerly the undisputed lightweight champion.
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Due to Alalshikh and the Saudi Arabia’s unlimited funds, boxing had big fights made in the past months, including the December 23 match that featured Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder in separate fights.
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The country will also host the much awaited undisputed heavyweight championship between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Uysk on February 17, then to be followed by a “crossover” fight between Anthony Joshua and former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in March.
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Sports History: January 23, 2015. Klay Thompson set an NBA record for the most points in a quarter, 37 points in the third period that fueled the Golden State Warriors victory against the Sacramento Kings, 126-101.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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