Gervonta Davis might not go through the ropes a second time this year. The WBA lightweight champion’s December fight with Lamont Roach might get pushed to next year because of reasons not in his control. What is exactly happening behind the scenes? Two boxing insiders, Rick Glaser and Dan Rafael, have floated their theories in contrast to each other, with some choice words also thrown in the mix.

Davis, 29, had been speculated to fight Roach, 29, on December 14 at Houston’s Toyota Center. There were also rumors about David Benavidez being part of the event as a supporting act. But it seems that fans might have to wait longer for Tank to make his return once again this year. Rafael, a Nat Fleischer Award winner, turned to his X handle and explained the situation as “50-50” and that the fight could get pushed to early next year. In addition, he cited venue issues for the debacle. He wrote, “Venue issue may be reason I’m told. Might happen as planned but unclear.”

However, Glaser, a long-time critic of Al Haymon and PBC had a different reason for the postponement of the Davis fight. He believed Davis, at 30-0, demanded more than what the PBC was paying him. Glaser had previously reported that the PBC’s current financial woes and the WBA champion’s demands might act as an added burden on the promotion’s upcoming event. Glaser pointed out, “Tank is demanding a lot more than #PBC is willing to pay Tank.”

That’s not all. He also shared Rafael’s post and threw a jibe at him. He rejected Dan Rafael’s speculations of venue issues and again asserted the PBC’s financial struggles. Glaser declared, “That’s Bobaluba from the Fatman Dan Rafael, #TankDavis priced himself out like I Tweeted earlier today, there’s no venue issue, that’s all pure #PBC spin on an ugly situation!!! #Boxing.”

Rick Glaser has been upfront about the PBC’s concerns and the heavy toll on their bank account. He had theorized that the promotion had an existing debt of $900 million. But what was causing it?

Gervonta Davis and PBC’s sinking ship

Glaser had simplified the situation as the PBC having a long stable of aged superstars such as the Charlo twins and Errol Spence Jr. He argued that the promotion had no young star on the horizon. Besides, the number of PPVs staged by the PBC has reduced significantly. The rise of HE Turki Alalshikh is adding to the PBC’s misery, which has the effect of lowering the PPV prices.

Therefore, with Davis demanding more from the PBC to headline the next PPV event, it might only hit hard. What’s more? The Baltimore native’s last fight against Frank Martin also didn’t produce significant numbers. As per Rafael, the number was somewhere around 350,000, way off from Davis’ last fight against Ryan Garcia. The PBC might not prefer paying extra when the numbers are not there.

What do you think of Gervonta Davis not fighting this year? What do you think might be the reason? Let us know in the comments below.