Gervonta Davis Reveals the Biggest Problem With Saudi’s $5 Billion Takeover

There could be a humongous change on the horizon for the sport of boxing! But only if things play out correct, and Gervonta Davis thinks it won’t as he describes the biggest problem with it. Just the other day, news broke about Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) looking to invest $5 billion into the sport to create an UFC-isk league, which would bring major promotions together.

It would involve the Saudis buying a minority stake at major promotions like Matchroom, Queensberry, Top Rank and more. Headed by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, the talks are still ongoing, and there have been no statements from the promoters involved. However, ‘Tank’ Davis seems to think all these efforts are useless because of a problem in the industry. What’s the problem? During an interview with ES News, the Baltimore native spilled the beans.

Gervonta Davis highlights promoters aren’t on the same page

If the deal goes down as Turki Alalshikh plans, who is a close advisor to de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the landscape of competitive sport may change entirely, pitting the best against the best. As of today, boxing is controlled by sanctioning bodies such as WBC, IBF, WBA, and WBO, with their various belts and subcategories, which makes it easier for a champion to never face another champion.

His Excellency’s deal with the promoters will change that, but speaking about the subject during his Face Off with Frank Martin on Wednesday, Gervonta Davis said, “I mean, that would never happen…” As to why it wouldn’t happen, Davis said, “…Because everybody don’t agree [with each other], everybody [is] not on the same page”. Davis argued it could have been possible if the promoters were willing to cooperate with each other to begin with, putting their hunger for money aside.

Davis does have a point—if something of that sort could have happened, it would have by now. It’s not like HE has introduced something revolutionary. The idea was always there, but no one wanted to do it because such a move would mean divided profits and lost champion status. Yet, boxing isn’t the only sport the Saudis are eyeing.

PIF is trying to establish a cycling league

Among the latest moves to bring several western sports into their country, the Saudi’s Public Investment Fund is targeting an entire cycling league, per Reuters. Founded just last year, a part of PIF, SRJ Sports Investments seems to be in talks with a number of major European cycling teams, a venture that may cost the oil rich country $270 million. 

In case the Saudis are successful in establishing this league, it would be their first major involvement in cycling after they have already poured billions in other sports such as football, motor sports and, of course, boxing. But the question is why? Why is Saudi Arabia adamant about making the country a sports hub? Well, simply because they are trying to wean the country away from their oil dependency and bring tourism and create more jobs in the country.

Despite billions on the line, Gervonta Davis remains unconvinced about the latest moves from the Saudis to take over boxing and correct the corruption plaguing it. However, given enough money, anything is possible, and boy do the Saudis have money. What do you think? Will Saudi change the landscape of boxing?