LAS VEGAS – The tension between Gervonta Davis and Floyd Mayweather has subsided.
Mayweather, whose company promoted Davis for most of the 28-year-old star’s career, was a very visible supporter of Davis again before, during and after the biggest fight of Davis’ career Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena. The undefeated five-division champion didn’t attend Davis’ previous fight, a ninth-round technical knockout of Hector Luis Garcia on January 7 in Washington, D.C., but Mayweather was in the ring before Davis knocked out Ryan Garcia, shouted instructions from ringside and attended their post-fight press conference.
Mayweather’s presence on fight night was the strongest indication yet that they repaired their relationship. An appreciative Davis praised Mayweather while he sat on stage after knocking out Garcia with a body shot in the seventh round.
“He just gave me great words,” Davis said during the press conference. “He was telling me to stay calm. I always like to listen to Floyd when it come to big stages like this cuz he’s the only one that been in my shoes and been like in these type of fights. You know what I mean? So, I always try to stay close to Floyd when stuff like this happens. You know what I mean?
“Just to keep me humble and, you know, like have me on the right track. You know what I mean? So, I always appreciate Floyd for being in my corner and having my back – always. You know what I mean? So, it always will be love for Floyd Mayweather.”
Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather Promotions’ CEO, represented the company on Davis’ behalf throughout the promotion of this Showtime Pay-Per-View main event. Ellerbe told BoxingScene.com last month that Mayweather Promotions, which helped build Davis into one of boxing’s biggest attractions, and Davis have a working relationship.
Davis’ contract with Mayweather Promotions expired after his sixth-round knockout of rival Rolando “Rolly” Romero last May 28 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Baltimore’s Davis also has his own company, GTD Promotions.
Mayweather reportedly prohibited Davis from training at his gym in Las Vegas at one point during camp for his showdown with Ryan Garcia.
Cameras captured them meeting face-to-face after the David Benavidez-Caleb Plant fight March 25 at MGM Grand Garden Arena. They then spoke privately, behind closed doors.
Four weeks later, Mayweather was in the ring, whispering words of encouragement in Davis’ ear before the start of the biggest fight of his career.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.