Baltimore native and boxing prodigy, Gervonta Davis recently took to social media to both taunt and mock father-son duo, Devin and Bill Haney. This follows the news of the Haneys declaring their intention to shift their focus to the 140-pound weight class.
Davis, 26, himself a two-time Super Featherweight Champion, made eyes roll when he decided to clown the Haneys for their intended move to 140. It’s not uncommon for fighters to indulge in back-and-forth banter to rile up their opponents, and Davis seems to be quite the pro at it.
To put this into perspective, Devin Haney is a superstar in his own right. Crowned as the WBC Lightweight Champion, he has been notably spectacular in his performances. Nevertheless, Gervinta Davis’ derisive comments about Devin and his trainer-cum-father, Bill Haney, have worked to keep the boxing atmosphere charged.
In a tweet, Davis sneered at the Haneys, suggesting that they were attempting to copy his career moves. He referenced his own intended transition to the 140-division class, insinuating that the duo was merely following his footsteps.
The boxing world remains hooked to these developments. Speculations are rife about a possible showdown between Davis and Haney. The extra weight, however, adds a fresh dynamic. The move to 140 can lead to drastically different fight styles, and refutes the comparison Davis was suggesting. It’s a bold choice for the Haneys, but one that could potentially redefine their careers.
But there’s no denying that until this becomes a reality, the fans will be treated to Davis’ continual and quite entertaining trolling. Known for his complex personality and unfiltered tweets, he has maintained a beef with both Devin and Bill that adds to the anticipation of a potential fight.
While some analysts opine that Davis is using this strategy to divert the attention from the stark possibility that he may have to face unbeaten, heavy-hitting Mario Barrios, others suggest that this is merely another chapter in the Davis-Haney saga. Either way, the heightened chatter about these high-tension exchanges ends up being a positive for the sport.
Fans are now eagerly waiting for the eventual fight between Davis and the Haneys. An eventual clash between two such heavyweight names would certainly have global pay-per-view appeal, making it a financially frothy prospect for promoters as well.
If this is Davis’ strategy to distract the masses from his own transitions in weight, it’s definitely working to an extent. His back-and-forths with the Haneys have attracted more focus from the boxing fans and media than his potential match-up with Mario Barrios.
Nevertheless, the father-son Haney duo remains unperturbed by Davis’ taunts, committed to making a mark at 140. Despite being derided particularly by a fan-favorite like Davis, the Haneys’ goal remains unaffected so far. Their unwavering determination, mixed with Davis’ playful taunting, upholds a captivating narrative in the realm of boxing.
The world waits with bated breath to see how these powerhouses will fare in the 140-class division. But while fights are won and lost in the ring, Davis seems committed to winning the psychological warfare outside of it. His clowning taunts only add to the drama that keeps the boxing world fixed on every tiff unfolding among the fighters.
