Despite hinting at retirement, undefeated WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis finds it increasingly difficult to walk away from the sport. Why? Because top boxers are lining up, eager to face him in the ring. Just recently, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh voiced his intent to make a massive showdown between Tank Davis and another top contender a reality. Speaking to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, Alalshikh made it clear that he wants to see Davis square off against Shakur Stevenson in Riyadh, on a card he is promoting.

Eddie Hearn has now entered the conversation. As Stevenson’s promoter, Hearn is undoubtedly looking to secure the best opportunities for his fighter, and there’s no denying the immense appeal of a showdown with Gervonta Davis. After the 30-year-old faces Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1st, Hearn is proposing what he calls “the biggest fight” in boxing. With the magnitude of such a bout, it’s expected to bring in a massive purse, attracting fans from around the world to witness this historic clash. But what exactly does Hearn’s proposal entail? Let’s break it down.

Eddie Hearn’s bold proposal for Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson

Eddie Hearn recently sat down with Ariel Helwani for an interview, ahead of Shakur Stevenson’s title defense against Golden Boy Promotions fighter Floyd Schofield on February 22. The event is going to be on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, the conversation took a turn when the Matchroom head was asked about the chances of a Tank vs. Shakur showdown in 2025. Hearn started by praising the WBC Lightweight Champion, calling him, “one of the greatest fighters of our generation.” Why? It’s because “He’s got 28, 3-division world champion already. He’s not even got out of first gear,” Hearn continued.

On the other hand, Hearn also acknowledged Tank Davis as an exciting fighter and a major draw in the sport. “Who else can Gervonta Davis fight? That’s for the king. That’s for supremacy at 135 pounds,” the Matchroom head exclaimed. Apart from that, he also mentioned other rising stars like Keyshawn Davis and Andy Cruz, showing how competitive the division has become recently. But he still believes that “Shakur against Tank is one of the great American fights.”

Hearn then laid out a potential path for Stevenson in 2025. Which is? The Newark native will first face Floyd Schofield, then William Zepeda in the summer, and finally, a showdown with the Baltimore native at the end of the year. He strongly believes in Stevenson’s chances and hopes this will be his defining year. “That’s the year we want for Shakur,” he revealed proudly.

Just days ago, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh also proposed a similar matchup, underscoring the significance of this showdown in the eyes of boxing fans worldwide.

Mike Tyson lends his support to the massive showdown

While the idea of a fight between Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson excites boxing fans, the matchup remains stuck in limbo. The reason? It’s the ongoing tension between Gervonta Davis and His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh. In an interview with ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, Alalshikh, despite his past conflicts with Davis, he hopes to, “one day (see) Shakur against Tank.” Alalshikh emphasized that professionalism would prevail and that personal differences should not prevent the promotion of such a monumental fight.

Shakur Stevenson, while talking to Dev Sahni from Queensberry Promotions in January, had also expressed his eagerness for the fight, but he’s been vocal about his frustrations with Davis’ mixed signals. “That’s the biggest fight in the world,” Stevenson had said, calling out Davis for not committing to the showdown fully.

In support of the fight, even boxing legend Mike Tyson weighed in. While talking to Mase and Camron Giles on their podcast, ‘It Is What It Is’ last year, Tyson, who favored Tank in the bout, acknowledged Stevenson’s elite skills and stated that pressure from Gervonta Davis would bring out the best in the young champion.

With promoters like Eddie Hearn and Turki Alalshikh pushing for the fight, the odds of seeing this explosive matchup in 2025 are growing stronger. Will Tank finally face his biggest challenge yet? Is Shakur Stevenson ready to dethrone Davis and claim supremacy at 135 lbs? Do you think Gervonta Davis will step into the ring with Shakur Stevenson in 2025? Who do you believe would win between Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson?