Oscar De La Hoya, a name synonymous with boxing success, has a clear message for WBA secondary lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis: it’s time to leave behind the easy matches and face the real champions in the 135-lb division. De La Hoya, drawing from his own illustrious career, urges Davis to seek unification fights against the division’s top fighters and step into the ring with names like Shakur Stevenson and the contenders for Devin Haney’s soon-to-be-vacated titles.
De La Hoya expresses disappointment with the direction of Davis’s career, comparing him to Adrien Broner for facing weaker opposition and failing to engage in significant fights, apart from his recent clash with influencer Ryan Garcia. He emphasizes that while Davis has been involved in high-profile events, his actual boxing achievements, especially in terms of facing formidable opponents, fall short.
The former six-division world champion is candid in his criticism of the match-making strategies employed by Mayweather Promotions for Davis. De La Hoya suggests that these strategies have not only hampered Davis’s potential to become a boxing legend but also limited his earnings compared to what he could have achieved by taking on more challenging and exciting fights.
De La Hoya’s call to action for Davis is to take the initiative and fight the best at 135 & 140, starting with Shakur Stevenson. This challenge comes amid speculations that Davis might be heading towards a rematch with Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, which De La Hoya views as another step away from realizing his true potential.
In conclusion, De La Hoya believes that Davis has the talent and capability to make a significant impact in the boxing world. However, for that to happen, Davis needs to break free from the safe path laid out by his promoters and aim for the top fighters in his weight class.
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