Gervonta Davis, the WBA lightweight champion, recently defended his title against Frank Martin, but the PPV buys for the fight were underwhelming, ranging from 325,000 to 350,000. This indicates a decline in Tank’s drawing power, contrary to what he and his fans may have believed. The lackluster PPV numbers for this fight were not entirely unexpected, considering that fans did not seem to be clamoring for this particular matchup.
It is evident that the choice of Frank Martin as an opponent was not well-received by the boxing community. Martin’s lackluster performance in his previous bout and his relative obscurity among casual fans did not help in generating interest for the fight. Many viewed this matchup as a cherry-pick for Tank, further diminishing the appeal of the event. The failure to create excitement around the fight was also attributed to the ineffective promotion by Tank and his team.
In retrospect, it becomes apparent that the decision to face Frank Martin instead of pursuing rematches with Ryan Garcia or challenging fighters like Vasily Lomachenko was a strategic misstep. The success of the Davis-Martin fight pales in comparison to the massive 1.2 million buys generated by the bout between Tank and Garcia. This discrepancy suggests that Tank’s PPV numbers are heavily influenced by his opponents, rather than his own star power.
The disappointing PPV numbers for the fight against Martin highlight some of the key factors that have prevented Gervonta Davis from reaching true stardom in the sport. The issues of poor matchmaking, lack of compelling personality, and a reliance on soft opposition have all contributed to limiting Tank’s potential as a mega-star in boxing. Unless these underlying issues are addressed, it is unlikely that Davis will be able to consistently draw significant PPV numbers in the future.
The decline in Gervonta Davis’ PPV numbers for the fight against Frank Martin serves as a wake-up call for the boxing world. It underscores the importance of strategic opponent selection, effective promotion, and the cultivation of a strong personal brand in order to succeed in the competitive landscape of professional boxing. Unless these aspects are carefully considered and improved upon, Davis may continue to struggle in establishing himself as a top draw in the sport.