Towards the end of last year, Gervonta Davis hinted at retirement, making statements like, “After next year, I’m out of it… This sh*t is trash, garbage.” While Davis has spoken about stepping away from boxing, he made it clear that he wanted to fight three more times before calling it quits. If he follows through with this plan, 2025 would mark the first time in his career that he has fought three times in a single year since 2019. While his March 1st fight against Lamont Roach Jr. is already confirmed, the mystery around who Davis will face next remains. But recently, the undefeated WBA lightweight champion opened up more about his retirement decision and the reasons behind it.

In a candid conversation with rapper Lil Yachty (Miles Parks McCollum) on “A Safe Place Podcast,” he shared deep reflections about his future in the sport. Davis discussed the personal and emotional reasons why he feels ready to step away from boxing.

The real reasons behind Gervonta Davis’ retirement

In the podcast, Lil Yachty admitted that from an outsider’s perspective, it feels like boxing demands a certain level of “aggression” and possibly “anger.” Davis agreed. But he also admitted that he’s trying to let go of some of that aggression. Why? Because it has led him to make poor life decisions. “I am just trying to lose it, the aggression. Because it’ll make you make wrong decisions in life,” the WBA Lightweight champion revealed.

He then reflected on his desire to step away from boxing—it’s from a desire to want to control that “edge” and make better choices outside the ring. “It’s like sometimes it’ll be like little things that I could have controlled but just like me being that boxer, just a little edge,” Gervonta Davis continued.

Yachty then brought up how many athletes have announced retirement but later returned to the sport, asking if Davis feels the same way. Tank admitted he had mixed feelings. “Yeah, I do be having them thoughts,” he admitted. But ultimately, his focus is on personal growth rather than full retirement. He further clarified that he didn’t want to quit entirely but take a break to focus on himself and “getting himself together.”

As the interview progressed, he mentioned a promise he made to Al Haymon (his promoter) about stepping away. But you know what? He also wants to stay involved in the sport by mentoring others. “I ain’t gonna lie. I done already made a promise to Al(Haymon), like we are out of it, type of thing,” the 30-0 boxer confessed about his vow to Haymon to leave the sport.

And all these for what? To answer that, Gervonta Davis emphasized his desire for, “being more there for my kids… building myself up as a person. As a great human being.” He suggested that his priorities are shifting beyond just boxing.

However, as the year draws closer to his potential retirement, the list of fighters vying for a shot with Davis only grows.

The Fight Everyone Wants to See

Recently, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, expressed his desire to organize a massive fight between Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson in Riyadh. According to him, this would be an event for the ages, and Alalshikh is determined to make it happen.

Eddie Hearn, who is the promoter for the WBC Lightweight Champion, is also pushing for the mega unification bout. Hearn has made it clear that after Davis faces Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1st, the next logical fight should be against Stevenson, which he dubs “the biggest fight” in boxing. “Who else can Gervonta Davis fight for true supremacy at 135 pounds?” Hearn asked during an interview with Ariel Helwani. He further acknowledged that other contenders like Keyshawn Davis and Andy Cruz are making noise in the division. But the Matchroom head still believes that “Shakur against Tank is one of the great American fights.”

Hearn has outlined a plan for Stevenson in 2025, including a fight against Floyd Schofield in February, a matchup with William Zepeda in the summer, and culminating in a blockbuster showdown with Gervonta Davis by the end of the year.

With that said, do you think Gervonta Davis will truly retire in 2025, or will he make a comeback? Would you want to see Tank face Shakur Stevenson before he retires?