Floyd Mayweather Jr. snubs Gervonta Davis while naming "most skillful fighter at 135"
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has just crowned his pick for the most skilled lightweight boxer in the world, and it isn't Gervonta Davis. He said as much on his recent appearance on the It is What It Is podcast, which can be found on YouTube. Mayweather touched on numerous topics during the sitdown.
As one of the most skilled fighters in boxing history, who dazzled analysts and fans alike with his slick defensive style, Mayweather is often regarded as an authority on assessing other fighters in the sport. This was the case with his analysis of 'Tank' and Shakur Stevenson.
"The two guys... The biggest puncher, I feel, at the 135 [division], would probably be Gervonta 'Tank' Davis. But the most skillful fighter at 135 will be, hands down, Shakur Stevenson."
Check out Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s thoughts on the lightweight division (10:19):
It is a difficult situation to assess, to a certain degree. Davis is the reigning WBA lightweight champion, while Stevenson holds the division's WBC belt. While the latter appears to have more traditional boxing skills, Davis is no slouch and has proven himself against tougher competition.
Moreover, many of Davis' knockouts don't stem from pure power but his sneaky setups, like his thunderous uppercut against Léo Santa Cruz. However, Mayweather believes that Stevenson is the crisper and slicker of the two undefeated fighters.
A matchup between Davis and Stevenson has been teased before, but nothing has come to fruition. Stevenson maintains that he would beat Davis, which the latter disputes, naturally.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. once mentored Gervonta Davis
Whether it's Devin Haney or Gervonta Davis, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has had complicated relationships with many of the young boxers he has mentored. Davis is no different, with the pair having a hot and cold dynamic. Nevertheless, the unbeaten legend is often in Davis' corner when it matters.
Check out Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s reaction to Gervonta Davis' knockdown of Ryan Garcia:
He famously supported 'Tank' in the latter's body shot knockout of Ryan Garcia, who was backed and promoted by 'Money's' old rival and fellow boxing icon Oscar De La Hoya. Though what will become of their relationship now that he has backed Stevenson as the more skilled of the two remains to be seen.
Davis has previously taken issue with Stevenson proclaiming himself the superior boxer. So there is little chance it will sit well with him that Mayweather is now praising Stevenson in such a manner.