Promoter Eddie Hearn is continuing to push for a fight between his boxer Conor ‘The Destroyer’ Benn 23-0 (14) and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis 29-0 (27).
Welterweight Benn, 27, called out WBA lightweight champion Davis following his wide unanimous decision victory over Peter Dobson 16-1 (9) in Las Vegas, Nevada earlier this month.
Hearn is all in for the proposed fight. Things got spicy on social media between Britain’s Benn and the 29-year-old southpaw from Baltimore, Maryland before the promoter stepped in to try to cut a deal.
“It was a significant offer,” Hearn said to Boxing Social. “An eight-figure offer with plenty of upside. I want to try and make the fight. We’re trying to make it work.”
One obvious impediment would be the weight, with Benn competing two division north of where Davis boxes.
Davis began his career as a featherweight and has boxed just once at junior welterweight in a hit-and-run mission against Mario Barrios 28-2 (18) three years ago before returning to 135-pounds. Benn is a career 147-pounder.
Still, Hearn remains eternally optimistic that with a little bit of fairy dust, he can get the deal signed.
“147 pounds,” said Hearn. “Gervonta’s boxed at 140 before. Gervonta’s boxed at 136, so 147 pounds.”
Benn told reporters this week that Davis, who has not boxed in almost a year, seems to be looking for an excuse not to fight him.
“I know a serious offer’s been made, let’s see if he’s all talk,” Benn said. “The talking’s done. Don’t pipe up and start running your mouth on Twitter and then not sign the contract.
“If I’m easy work then no problem, sign the contract.
“Do I think that fight gets made? Listen, I’ll agree to fight anyone.
“If $10million, $11million, $12million, $13million, $14million, $15million ain’t enough, then stay quiet, stay at your house with your little tag on your ankle.
“It’s cool, run your mouth on Twitter, I’m not really that guy for social media and all that. But if you want to run your mouth then I’ll fight you no problem.
“You’re telling me $10million to $15million ain’t enough to fight me? If that ain’t enough, then keep doing what you’re doing.”
Hearn says he still has other irons in the fire and if Davis doesn’t come to the party, he has other name boxers lined up to face Benn.
“There’s been a reply from Gervonta,” Hearn said. “He’s never going to be happy. That can do huge pay-per-view numbers and gate numbers. He should look to get involved in that show and that purse because it can deliver big numbers.
“We’re talking, and we’ll see where it gets to. Conor is very keen to lock in his next fight as soon as possible.
“I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to get in the way of making fights, but I promise you this. Conor Benn will be in a massive fight next.”
