Brian Norman Sr Doubts Gervonta Davis’s Mental Toughness
With great expectations also comes plenty of criticism. That’s the case for the reigning WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs), whose mental toughness is under attack by those inside the boxing community. Among those is trainer Brian Norman Sr., who claims Tank lacks heart.
There’s been continual fallout following Davis’s battle with WBA junior lightweight champion Lamont Roach on May 1. The fight ended in a disputed draw. There was a controversial moment early in round nine when Davis turned his back and took a voluntary knee.
Tank claimed that his actions resulted from grease getting in his eye. At the very least, it was an alarming and head-scratching moment. Typically, boxers do not stop in the middle of heated action – they instead fight through that kind of adversity.
HAS DAVIS BEEN EXPOSED?
Norman Sr. is the father and trainer of WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. During an exclusive interview on the MillCity Boxing, the elder Norman said the lightweight champion will checkout when the going gets tough.
“I know Tank is not a mentally strong person. I watched Tank quit . . . Tank ain’t got it. He don’t have the heart. He’s not built like that; he’s not.”
Throughout his career, Davis has always had a semblance of physical and psychological control over his opponents. Fighters were wary of his big punch, resulting in Davis’s belief that he could overwhelm and overpower his foes.
That was not the case against Roach. For the first time as a pro, Davis had to bite down and grind. At times, he didn’t handle it well. When he turned his back on Roach, he displayed a moment of immaturity, panic, and unprofessionalism.
Word on the street is that Davis and Roach will stage a rematch. All the pressure will be on the WBA champion. How will Tank handle himself if he receives similar heat once the bell rings? There’s a mounting narrative that he folds when under pressure.
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