WBA ‘regular’ lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis recently made a bold claim that he has financially surpassed the point where boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. was at when he was 29 years old. Davis stated that the six to seven fight deal he signed is even bigger than the deal Mayweather had with Showtime back in 2013. While the exact figures of Davis’ deal remain undisclosed, it is speculated to potentially exceed the reported $200 million contract Mayweather had signed with Showtime at the age of 35.
It is important to note that the landscape of professional boxing has significantly changed over the years in terms of financial rewards for fighters. Mayweather’s early career fights at the age of 29 were against opponents like Emanuel Augustus and Gregorio Vargas, far from the substantial paydays that boxers are now commanding in the sport. Additionally, Mayweather fought top-tier opponents such as Diego Corrales, Zab Judah, and Jose Luis Castillo early on in his career, setting a different standard for competition.
Despite Davis’ claim of surpassing Mayweather financially at a younger age, there are concerns regarding the legacy he is building in the sport. Davis has been criticized for avoiding tough opposition and cherry-picking his opponents throughout his 11-year professional career. Fighters like Vasily Lomachenko, Shakur Stevenson, and Teofimo Lopez have been noticeably absent from Davis’ list of opponents, raising questions about the caliber of competition he is willing to face.
In a hypothetical scenario where Mayweather would have competed in the same era as Gervonta Davis, it is likely that he would have continued to outshine Davis in terms of wealth and legacy. Mayweather’s willingness to face top opponents and his marketing prowess would have cemented his status as a larger-than-life figure in the sport. The potential matchups against names like Lomachenko, Teofimo, and Haney would have drawn significant attention and lucrative paychecks for Mayweather, solidifying his position as a boxing icon.