Just moments ago, a bombshell announcement rocked the boxing world as Gervonta “Tank” Davis revealed his next opponent, a decision that has left his former mentor, Floyd Mayweather Jr., visibly stunned. Contrary to widespread expectations of a rematch with Lamont Roach Jr. following their controversial majority draw on March 1, Davis has instead agreed to a high-stakes showdown with WBO lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson. The news, which broke during a press conference in Las Vegas, has sparked a firestorm of reactions across the boxing community, with the hashtag #TankVsShakur already trending on X with over 3 million views in mere minutes.

Davis, the reigning WBA lightweight champion with a record of 30-0-1 (28 KOs), had been heavily linked to a rematch with Roach after their closely contested bout two weeks ago at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. That fight, which saw Davis take a controversial knee in the ninth round—later ruled not a knockdown by referee Steve Willis—ended in a majority draw (115-113 Davis, 114-114, 114-114), prompting Roach to appeal the decision to the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC). Despite the appeal being denied on March 10, many expected Davis to settle the score with Roach to silence critics questioning his performance.

Instead, Davis dropped a bombshell during today’s press conference, announcing that he will face Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) on June 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in a fight that could unify the WBA and WBO lightweight titles. “I’m done with the small talk—I want the best, and Shakur’s got what I need,” Davis declared, his tone brimming with confidence. “This is the fight the fans deserve, and I’m gonna show the world why I’m the king of this division.”

Floyd Mayweather Jr., who promoted Davis under Mayweather Promotions from 2015 to 2022, was in attendance at the press conference and appeared visibly shocked by the announcement. The boxing legend, who has had a strained relationship with Davis since their split, was reportedly advocating for a Roach rematch, believing it would solidify Davis’ standing after the controversial draw. Sources close to Mayweather claim he was unaware of the Stevenson fight until moments before the announcement, a move that some interpret as Davis deliberately distancing himself further from his former mentor.

Mayweather, 48, attempted to maintain composure but couldn’t hide his surprise, muttering to his team, “This kid’s making a big mistake.” Later, in a brief comment to *ESPN*, Mayweather said, “I thought Tank would take care of business with Roach first. Shakur’s a different beast—fast, slick, and smart. I hope he’s ready.” The tension between the two is palpable, especially after Davis’ recent criticisms of Mayweather, including a cryptic social media post on Mayweather’s birthday (February 24) that many interpreted as a jab at his former promoter.

The announcement has set the boxing community ablaze. On X, fans and analysts are split. @BoxingInsider2025 tweeted, “Tank vs. Shakur?! This is the fight we’ve been waiting for—speed vs. power, let’s go!” Meanwhile, @RoachFan2025 expressed frustration: “Tank’s ducking the rematch—Roach deserves his shot!” Some, like @FightTalk2025, questioned Davis’ readiness: “Shakur’s too slick for Tank. Mayweather’s right—this could be a mistake.”

Prominent figures in the sport have also weighed in. Terence Crawford, who previously criticized the refereeing in Davis’ fight with Roach, told *Marca*, “Tank’s got guts taking on Shakur, but he better not underestimate him. Stevenson’s the real deal.” Teófimo López, fresh off his own victory over George Kambosos Jr., added fuel to the fire on X: “Tank needed a wake-up call after Roach. Shakur might just be the one to give it to him.”

Lamont Roach Jr., who was vocal about wanting a rematch, issued a statement through his team: “I’m disappointed but not surprised. Tank knows I had him in trouble. I’ll be watching this fight closely—I’m not done with him.” Roach’s appeal to NYSAC, which argued that Davis’ ninth-round knee should have been ruled a knockdown, was denied due to the fight continuing for three more rounds, a ruling that many felt robbed Roach of a potential victory.

This fight marks a significant pivot for Davis, who has faced criticism for not consistently taking on top-tier opponents. Stevenson, ranked as the world’s second-best active lightweight by *The Ring* magazine (behind Davis), brings a different challenge with his elite footwork, defensive mastery, and ring IQ. At 27, Stevenson has been vocal about wanting to unify the lightweight division, and a win over Davis could catapult him to superstardom.

For Davis, the stakes are equally high. A victory would silence doubters about his strength of schedule and solidify his claim as the lightweight king, especially after the Roach draw left some questioning his dominance. However, a loss to Stevenson could damage his reputation and give ammunition to critics, including Mayweather, who has historically downplayed Davis’ ability to surpass his own legacy.

This announcement also challenges the established narrative around Davis’ career trajectory. Often seen as a pay-per-view draw who prioritizes lucrative but less risky fights, Davis’ decision to face Stevenson—a stylistic nightmare for many—shows a willingness to take risks. It also sidesteps the influence of figures like Turki Alalshikh, who has been orchestrating major boxing events under the Riyadh Season banner but has yet to secure Davis’ participation. By choosing Stevenson, Davis is carving his own path, potentially at the cost of alienating Mayweather and others who expected a Roach rematch.

The fight’s financial implications are significant. Davis reportedly earned between $15 and $20 million for the Roach bout, which drew over 19,000 fans at Barclays Center—the largest boxing crowd in the venue’s history. A fight with Stevenson, given the hype and unification stakes, could push those numbers even higher, with early estimates suggesting a $25 million purse for Davis and $10 million for Stevenson.

As the boxing world digests this bombshell, all eyes will be on the buildup to June 7. Will Davis’ power overcome Stevenson’s speed and defense? Can Stevenson handle the pressure of facing a knockout artist like Tank? And how will Mayweather’s predictions play out in this mentor-protégé saga? One thing is certain: this fight has the potential to redefine the lightweight division and Davis’ legacy.