LAS VEGAS – Talented former IBF lightweight champion Paul Spadafora is a fan of Gervonta Davis and says there's more to Davis than meets the eye.
While some may call the Baltimore star a hard hitter because he can shut down opponents with a single punch, it's the overall skill of the 29-0 (27 KOs) WBA lightweight champion that Spadafora values.
The 48-year-old Spadafora, who plays against two southpaws, has lost just one fight in 51 bouts and has stopped 19 of his 49 opponents.
“I like Tank because everybody thinks he's just a good puncher, and that's just a pretense,” Spadafora explained. “He's not just a good puncher. If he was just a good puncher, he'd go head to head with Ryan.” [Garcia]but you see how he beat Ryan. He slows down, he watches what Ryan does, he watches what Ryan does, he watches Ryan move, and boom. Once he does that, it's time for Ryan to catch up. Once he tries to catch up with Tank, it's over.”
Just as impressive as Davis' ability to take down enemies with a single shot is his preparation, thinking and planning several steps ahead while under fire.
“It takes a huge amount of skill, and Tank will probably be remembered as one of the best,” Spadafora said.
The accomplished boxer originally from Pittsburgh is now a coach and has a gym at his home in Las Vegas. He has a strong knowledge of boxing and continues to follow the sport avidly.
“I have three favorites today. My favorite is Tank,” he said. “I also like Terence Crawford and I like Boots. [Jaron Ennis] He is from Philadelphia and is [superstar]”Crawford, there's no one he won't fight. He's a real dog. Unlike anybody I know.”
Spadafora said some fighters he would like to see Davis fight in or around his weight class include Ukrainian star Vasiliy Lomachenko and Newark's Shakur Stevenson.
“Tank vs. Shakur, it was a great match. Shakur is very patient. It was a great match, but I have to give the edge to Tank,” Spadafora said.
“I think Shakur has a good chance of beating Lomachenko. [of beating] Tanks, but it's a great division.”
Spadafora also has high praise for Ukrainian southpaws Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk, whose styles remind him of his own fighting days.
“They're doing what I used to do,” Spadafora said, “and what I used to do, and it's working. They're just doing it a little better than I did.”
