NEW YORK -
Gervonta Davis has a lot on his mind. Maybe too much.
The 30-year-old WBA lightweight champion last boxed on March 1 against former amateur foe Lamont Roach and things didn't go to plan that night at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, as the unbeaten titleholder's record was smeared with a
contentious majority decision draw.
Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) revealed that retirement was a real possibility in the build-up to that title defence and while a rematch was tentatively slated for Aug. 16, things have taken a darker turn for "Tank" in the four months since their 12-round encounter.
On July 11, the three-division world champion
was arrested in Miami Beach, Florida and now faces a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a dispute with a former girlfriend. His court date is set for today.
As the Baltimore native's world continues to swirl and uncertainty surrounds his future, recent Hall of Fame inductee
Manny Pacquiao lurks in the background.
The 46-year-old ended a near four-year retirement earlier this month when taking on WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, settling for a similarly debatable majority decision draw at Las Vegas' MGM Grand.
Although an immediate rematch makes sense to secure clarity, Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39 KOs) has mentioned Davis’ name quite a bit recently. Physically, the current 135-pound champion would have an overwhelming edge - much younger, fresher and without wars the Filipino legend is known for. According to Tim Bradley though, it's more nuanced than that.
"If he gets in that ring and he's not all the way focused, he's gonna get beat by Manny Pacquiao," Bradley told The Ring.
Davis isn't the only name Pacquiao has mentioned either, having floated the likes of
Rolando "Rolly" Romero and a potential rematch
with longtime rival Floyd Mayweather.
Bradley didn't comment on whether or not the welterweight contender could beat those two, but with regards to Davis, the former two-division champion - who himself had a three-fight series with Pacquiao - has a strong feeling his former foe would be able to pull it off.
"I'm telling you, I know people are gonna think I'm crazy, but that 46-year-old can still fight," Bradley continued. "Davis would have to be really focused in order to beat him. If that happens, and he's not locked in, it can be a bad night for Tank."