Gervonta Davis Shares Cryptic Mental Health Message Before Jake Paul Fight

The behavior and messages that Gervonta “Tank” Davis displayed in the lead-up to his March 1 fight against Lamont Roach Jr. raised eyebrows among the boxing community.

The most notable thing Tank said was that he intended to retire from boxing at some point in 2025 during one of his press conferences with Roach in December 2024. His reasoning for this was that he was fed up with the sport of boxing and was too embroiled in issues outside of the ring to rekindle the love he once had for the sweet science.

Most were able to brush these comments off as Tank being in a strange headspace before the fight. However, the fact that he produced the worst performance of his professional career against Roach (which resulted in a majority draw) and made several questionable decisions inside the ring (which should have made it so Tank lost) brought these comments from Gervonta back to mind after the bout ended.

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In fact, women’s pound-for-pound great Claressa Shields made a strong claim about Davis’ mental health after this fight, saying, “I feel like Gervonta is a hell of a fighter, but I feel like he needs to get his mental together. When I hear some of his interviews, and I see some of the stuff that he’s saying, I can just tell that he’s not in love with the sport no more.

“I think he would be better, and even a better fighter, if he went and did therapy, like ASAP. Because I can tell he’s a little sad, little depressed… I think therapy would help [Davis],” she added.

Gervonta Davis Addresses Mental Health Before Jake Paul Fight

It’s clear that Davis has no plans of retiring in 2025 right now, because news broke last month that he agreed to fight against Jake Paul, which will take place on November 14, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia (so long as the Georgia commission approves it).

And if one were to take a September 3 X post from Davis to heart, it seems that he’s in a better mental space than he was before his most recent fight.

Davis’ X post wrote, “Good thing I’m in a better head space, only way you’ll get to me if I allow you to..ya get me! 😉”.

Tank’s fans are hoping that this isn’t just hearsay from their favorite boxer, and that he’s actually firing on all cylinders mentally before fighting Paul.

And given how much he’s surely making for this fight, it’s not hard to imagine that he’d be in a good mood right now.

Why the Jake Paul Fight is More Than Just a Crossover for Gervonta Davis

Gervonta Davis takes part in one of the most polarizing boxing events of the year when he collides with Jake Paul on Netflix, but his long-time coach Calvin Ford insists the move is deliberate.

Ford says the WBA lightweight champion has been taking a step back from the glare of both boxing and community work, using the Paul fight as a break from professional competition.

Speaking to The Baltimore Banner during a giveaway in Davis’ hometown of West Baltimore, Ford outlined why the 30-year-old has intentionally scaled back his appearances.

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“We don’t let him come as much as he used to,” Ford explained. “Every time he comes, something crazy happens.”

Gervonta Davis steps away
For four years, Davis’ GTD Cares Foundation has been a key part of Unlimited Potential’s summer program, distributing sneakers, backpacks, and school supplies to local children. This year, the charity continued its contributions, providing 350 pairs of sneakers in partnership with DTLR, but Davis himself was absent.

The development is part of a broader change for Davis, who now spends much of his time in Florida, away from repeated legal distractions in Baltimore.

His 2023 hit-and-run case led to jail and probation, followed by later charges that authorities in Florida ultimately dropped.

Ford admitted those factors contribute to why Davis has taken a more private path.

From Lamont Roach to Jake Paul
In the ring, Davis last fought against Lamont Roach on March 1, a fight that many observers felt should have ended in a Davis knockdown and possible first career defeat.

A rematch with Roach appeared to be the obvious route until Netflix confirmed that Davis would instead meet YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on November 14 in Atlanta.

The fight comes with a considerable weight disparity; Paul can scale up to 195 pounds, while Davis, who is usually a lightweight, has no weight restriction.

But for Ford, the reasoning is clear.

“It’s on Netflix, it’s a no-brainer. It’s a great opportunity.”

Why Davis needs this break
Davis has previously teased retirement and spoken of wanting more time with his three children. Those sentiments appear to be gaining traction.

Ford reinforced the notion that Tank needs space from the relentless grind of pro boxing.

“He’s been doing this since he was seven years old,” Ford said. “At some point, you have to take some time. He’s got kids. Man, he has a family. He’s enjoying life.

“Sometimes you’ve got to take a break and get away.”

For now, Davis is focused squarely on November’s Netflix blockbuster. However, Ford’s words suggest that the Paul fight could be less about spectacle and more about Davis finding balance after years in a high-pressure sport.

Whether that balance leads him back to the elite lightweight or super lightweight division or into the kind of crossover contests that dominate headlines remains uncertain.

As Davis continues to mull over his future, WBN has decided he no longer deserves a place on boxing’s elite Pound for Pound list.

Jake Paul Finally Reveals The Weight Limit For Gervonta Davis Fight

Many questions remain over the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis event taking place later this year.

It was announced late last month that Paul and Davis would collide in a shock match-up at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday 14 November.

It sees YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul return to action following his victory over former WBC cruiserweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June, which came eight months after ‘The Problem Child’ also defeated boxing legend Mike Tyson in a controversial bout.

Paul weighed in at 227lbs for that bout against Tyson, but now will take on a man who weighs nearly 100lbs less than that, as he turns his attention to WBA lightweight champion Davis.

‘Tank’ last competed in March when his title defence against Lamont Roach ended in a majority decision draw, with all signs pointing towards an immediate rematch between the two men taking place next.

It won’t be the case though, with Paul and Davis instead meeting one another, but it is still not official what weight the fight will be at.

‘The Problem Child’ appears to have cleared that up though, after he revealed what weight he has to make for the fight in a video by betr.

“I have to make 195.”

It means Paul will have a huge weight advantage over Davis, who has never weighed in above 140lbs in his career and will lose important attributes by packing on too much. There will also be an eight inch height difference between the two fighters, something that former ‘Tank’ foe Ryan Garcia feels will have a major impact on the fight.

There lies the controversy, and why the fight is likely to be an exhibition with softer rules rather than sanctioned as a pro bout.