“I’m retiring.” In a frank tête-à-tête, Gervonta Davis confirmed. By year-end, the lightweight champion will hang the gloves. It’s not a new report. The boxing world’s tryst with the shocker happened last year when the Baltimorean revealed his plans during the kick-off presser of the Lamont Roach fight. Next weekend, on March 1, at the Barclays Center, Davis will face the WBA super featherweight champion for a second title defense.

As it usually happens in boxing, ahead of a fight, the discourse branches out in different trajectories. But in Gervonta Davis’ case, it’s been primarily a narrative about the intentions to retire. To many, it appeared a momentary phase. Perhaps the world champion had been sinking under emotional weight. But his revelation to Jay Hill might change the views. ‘Tank’ Davis sounded quite certain that he was going to retire from boxing.

Some ten minutes after their discussion commenced, Hill recalled how Gervonta Davis had a ‘hit’ list’ – fighters he wanted to face in the future. But considering that he intends to retire, Hill wondered whether Davis still harbored such ambitions.

“Not really, no, not, I mean, if the opportunity presents itself, then yeah, for sure, I’d attack it, but not really, not really. I mean, I’m trying to get out of the sport for sure,” replied ‘Tank.’ He emphasized that he doesn’t go out of his way to challenge opponents, but if promoters set up a fight, he won’t turn it down. 135 pounds or even slightly above at a catchweight, he’s willing to fight.

Later, Gervonta Davis questioned the legitimacy of some fighters’ undefeated records. Davis suggested that becoming an undisputed champion isn’t as meaningful as it used to be. Many fighters achieved it quickly by being ‘guided the right way.’

Gervonta Davis: Retirement holds steady and ratified

Jay Hill finally asked, “So you really, when it comes to this retirement sh*t, like, are you really serious about this?” “Yeah, yeah, for sure, for sure,” replied Davis. Hill shared that to many followers it seemed like he was announcing retirement too early. Or who knows, he might just be saying it for publicity or to hype up a fight.

Gervonta Davis didn’t budge: “No, no, it’s – I mean, I didn’t say I’m, like, retiring, like, after this fight, but for sure, like, after this year, I’m retiring.”

It’s hard to imagine. Roughly two years ago, after he demolished Ryan Garcia when asked whether he was the face of boxing, Gervonta Davis replied, “Abso-f**kin-lutely.” So for one of the signature representatives of the sport to bid goodbye whilst in his prime sounds quite unbelievable to many fans.

But what is significant here is what he does after the Roach Jr. fight. Will he agree to fight Shakur Stevenson or Keyshawn Davis for a title unification? Let’s say a big fight follows, and he incurs a career-first defeat. So what happens next? To set the record straight and keep his legacy intact, will Gervonta Davis keep the retirement plans aside and continue?

Let us know what you think about Gervonta Davis’ thoughts on retirement.