Gervonta Davis has shared the ring with some massive punchers – but one stood out above the rest.
During an unblemished 30-0 career, ‘Tank’ has won world titles in three separate weight classes, defeating the likes of Ryan Garcia, Leo Santa Cruz and Isaac Cruz along the way.
The aforementioned trio all carry a decent amount of power in their own right, particularly Garcia who has finished 20 of 24 wins inside the distance.
However, Davis insists Rolly Romero punched him the hardest.
Davis fought Romero back in 2022 in a routine defence of his lesser WBA ‘regular’ lightweight belt.
It marked his final fight under the tutelage of Floyd Mayweather before their acrimonious split.
The Baltimore banger blew Romero away in the sixth round but got caught by a few good shots from his adversary en route to the eventual stoppage.
“I ain’t going to lie, Rolly hit hard,” Davis told assembled media on Thursday.
“People are sleeping on Rolly. He hasn’t got a chin so Rolly gets caught but he can hit.
“He’s the only person I have felt. When he swung it felt like there were bricks in his hands.”
The only other boxer whose power stood out was former two-division world champion Danny Garcia.
Garcia and Davis never fought as professionals, but ‘Tank’ was drafted in as a sparring partner for ‘Swift’s’ fight with Zab Judah in 2013.
“Who else I sparred that was like that was Danny Garcia,” Davis added. “That guy can hit.”
Davis returns to action on Saturday night against Lamont Roach at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Roach, the reigning WBA super featherweight champion, has been granted special permission by the major sanctioning body to challenge for Davis’ WBA lightweight belt while retaining his black and gold strap.
Davis was upgraded from ‘regular’ to full world champion in November 2023 when Devin Haney vacated the title to move up to super lightweight.
Roach (25-1-1) snatched the WBA super featherweight belt away from Hector Luis Garcia on points in November 2023.
He went on to defend his title last June by blowing away Feargal McCrory inside eight rounds.
