Undeniably, boxing is in a strange space right now. Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi’s have made it clear that their idea for boxing, is, well, buying the media and throwing ridiculous amounts of cash at fighters to come overseas and entertain a new audience in this new era.
The only problem is, the matchups, sure, usually decent, but the true nature of the business is coming to the light — and a majority of fans can’t see through it.
At least as an American fighter, kissing the ring of Turki Alalshikh means sacrificing the ability for fans to watch and engage in person, a Saudi crowd that is less than energetic and inconvenient fight times.
Immediately, once an American fighter chooses cash over legacy — or hopes that the two may work hand in hand, all the way in Saudi Arabia, when they just can’t — it feels as if they may never return to a levelheaded manor of chasing greatness without Alalshikh in the picture.
Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez and plenty of others have decided to take their talents out of the states. Perhaps, in part, because matchups are important to them, but realistically: money talks, and they don’t want to wait to build their career up a bit more in the public eye, and then sell fights. They want big money now.
One thing that Gervonta “Tank” Davis has been critical about in recent days is the pride he takes in being an American fighter, and giving fans what they desire to see out of a superstar pugilist and entertainer.
Despite ongoing criticism of who Tank fights, he knows how to market himself, and almost always puts on a memorable show.
Even Tim Bradley took to X to give kudos to Tank recently for not bowing to the Saudi cash — in the midst of their ongoing internet beef.
One thing we know about Tank, he isn’t a sellout, and he will never get in line with sheep to follow a plan that maybe doesn’t have American fans’ — or even the sport’s — best interests.
And, he says what he feels with no remorse.
For an American fighter to be great, they MUST create legacy at home — but also, prove that boxing doesn’t need to migrate across the world, and stay there.
Tank sells out his own shows, clearly feeds off of crowd energy, and makes a ton of money marketing himself. Why would he go overseas for cash he is already making?
So, is Tank America’s last household name?
Easy answer: yes.
He’s the last American champion paving his own path, making his own cash and fighting on his own terms. Plus, he’s putting American boxing interest first, as a people’s champion.
The discussion of why Tank doesn’t fight certain guys is an entirely different matter to discuss or debate.
He seems to hold business morals above the rest, and he’s not a sellout. So to me, you can have one belt and still be the face of boxing, and a champion to the people.
Jack Walsh is a New York-based journalist, currently working at a television station as a real time editor, and also an amateur boxer. He hopes to continue diving into the journalistic side of boxing and provide a unique, independent perspective. His work has also appeared in Boxing News Online.