Gervonta Davis Ascends To WBA Super Lightweight Champion

Davis solidifies position as top dog in the division after Haney's decision to vacate the belt.

As of January 2nd, 2024, Gervonta Davis was officially elevated to the WBA "Super" Lightweight Champion status following Devin Haney's decision to vacate the belt and move up in weight. This means Davis is now the sole recognized WBA champion at 135 pounds, solidifying his position as the top dog in the division. Previously reigning as the WBA secondary lightweight champion, Tank Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) also known as Abdul Wahid has now ascended to the full title.

Davis, an American professional boxer has held multiple world championships in three weight classes, from super featherweight to light welterweight. He is known for his powerful punching and aggressive fighting style. He has a knockout-to-win ratio of over 80%, and he has been compared to boxing greats like Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Becoming champion by promotion instead of victory often earns mockery. "Tank" Davis, however, rejects the "email champion" label, sending a tongue-in-cheek message to the WBA: keep your "super" title. “I don’t want that ****,” said Davis on his social media account. “I want blood.”

Davis was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1994. He began boxing at the age of five, and he had a successful amateur career, winning the National Golden Gloves Championship in 2012. Davis turned professional in 2013, and he quickly rose through the ranks. He won his first world title, the IBF Super Featherweight Championship, in 2017.

“I ain't no email champion. I earned my respect in the ring, and I'm gonna keep proving it. This belt might have come easy, but I'm not taking it easy. The real work starts now,” he added.

"They can call it whatever they want, 'regular,' 'super,' whatever. I'm still the champion, and I'm gonna defend this title like any other. “This is just one step on the way to the top. I'm not satisfied with just being champion. I want to be undisputed, the best in the world. This belt is just another motivation to keep pushing,” said Davis. 

Davis is ready to prove himself in the ring, and he's not going to let the WBA's decision hold him back. It remains to be seen how this situation will play out, but one thing is for sure: Gervonta Davis is not going down without a fight.