Saudi Arabia has become one of the most aggressive financiers of some of the major sporting events in the world. As an effort to promote active participation in combat sports, it held an array of boxing cards last year. Recently, GEA Chairman and His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh wished for the end of influencer boxing in Saudi Arabia. He demanded more actual famed combatants like Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis. However, ‘Tank’ is weary of that proposal.
Saudi Arabia’s boxing takeover has continued with fights like Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury. This was the case at the opening ceremony of the extended Riyadh boxing season. It has continued with other fights like Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua vs. Ngannou. Turki Alalshikh wanted Davis vs. Haney as well; but ‘Tank’ didn’t acclimate to it. Speaking to The MMA Hour‘s Ariel Helwani, he said –
I heard Davis said, ‘Send to me two Ferraris.’ I say to him – we will send you two gloves if you want, that’s it.
Turki Alalshikh via The MMA Hour
Davis, aka Abdul Wahid, stands at 29-0-0, and 27 KOs, The southpaw from Baltimore used to be a former protege of Floyd Mayweather. The former WBA super featherweight and undefeated lightweight superstar last fought Ryan Garcia. Fighting at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, live on PBC on SHOWTIME PPV he won via KO in Round 7 of 12.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh on Gervonta Davis saying he wants two Ferraris sent to his door to get him to discuss fighting in Saudi Arabia: “I heard Davis said, 'Send to me two Ferraris.' I say to him – we will send you two gloves if you want, that's it.” [@MMAFighting]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 3, 2024His Excellency’s gibe comes at Davis’ reluctance to fight in Saudi Arabia. Conversely, Daney himself is not fond of Davis’ cheap tactics and ducking the much-anticipated fight. Taking to X, Haney responded to the Saudi excellency’s wishes saying that Davis could not leave his house due to legal predicaments.
Gervonta Davis reveals requirement of ‘expensive cars’ for consideration of fighting in Saudi Arabia
Gervonta “Tank” Davis is a former three-division world champion who has won five world titles and is currently 10th in the ESPN pound-for-pound rankings. Davis is currently ranked #3 in the ESPN divisional rankings at lightweight. As such. he is the fight to make, even for His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh.
Davis has been on a long sabbatical since his victory last April. With a long feud brewing with peer Devin Haney, Turki Alalshikh had wished for the pair to fight at Riyadh.
Additionally, a fan account mentioned that Saudi Arabia needs the world’s best boxers if they want to take over boxing. He then went on to mention Davis and the likes of Canelo Alvarez.
Here’s what Davis responded to the matter:
As such, Davis explained that the Saudi Arabian officials would have to offer him a good enough incentive for him to consider it. However, having overplayed his hand for its worth, the pro-boxer was ripped by his Excellency.
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