Vasyl Lomachenko(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Gervonta Davis is a legit superstar, and thus, there is immediate interest in his next move just 72 hours after his demolition of Frank Martin on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Davis, showing no signs of a 14-month layoff, delivered one of his most awe-inspiring performances, culminating in an eighth-round KO win. The question on everyone’s mind: Who will be the next challenger for Davis?
All signs point to the legendary Vasyl Lomachenko. According to multiple reports, talks between the two world champions’ promoters will resume soon.
Gervonta Davis and Vasyl Lomachenko Set to Restart Negotiations
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 15: Gervonta Davis ‘Tank’ speaks during a press conference after his match … [+]
Top Rank promotes Lomachenko, while Davis is with Premier Boxing Champions. The two sides have found a way to work together, and promoters have been increasingly willing to make cross-promotional deals in the sport over the past few years.
Per Top Rank icon Bob Arum, Lomachenko and the promotion “are up for” a potential meeting between the two men in November. Arum told Boxing Scene a meeting between the two sides could happen this week.
According to Arum, a fight with Davis is the best fit for Lomachenko, 36, at this stage of his career.
“Davis has established a position where he’s good at the box office … a fight with Davis would produce more money than a fight with Shakur [Stevenson],” said Arum.
Many argue that Shakur Stevenson is a stiffer test for Davis because of his youth. Stevenson is 26 years old. However, Stevenson only has one more fight left on his contract with Top Rank, which expires on July 6 when he faces WBO champion Denys Berinchyk.
Because Stevenson may not sign a new deal with Top Rank, any fight he’d have beyond July 6 may not be of Arum’s concern.
Even if Stevenson was signed with Top Rank over the long term, an argument could still be made that a fight with Lomachenko might be more profitable. Stevenson is one of the most gifted fighters in the sport, but he hasn’t always been the most entertaining fighter.
There’s a chance Davis may have to carry the bulk of the promotional weight, as his fanbase is far more hearty. Lomachenko is considered an all-time great, and he has mounds of respect. The Ukrainian has an entire country behind him.
What is the Significance of a Potential Davis vs. Lomachenko Fight?
While Lomachenko is on the wrong side of 35, he proved he can still compete on an elite level in his last win over George Kambosos in May.
Lomachenko became the first man to stop Kambosos in an excellent performance that landed him the IBF lightweight title. Combine Lomachenko’s skill and career accomplishments with Davis’ talent and charisma, and rise to the pound-for-pound level, you have one of the more intriguing fights in combat sports.
Rarely do we get an opportunity to see fighters of this ilk clash.
If we get Davis-Lomachenko in the fourth quarter of the year, it could steal the show from several other high-profile fights planned for the holiday season.
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