Gervonta “Tank” Davis, the undefeated WBA lightweight champion, has made a major move in his training camp by replacing his longtime trainer Calvin Ford with Jose Benavidez Sr. The change, which was first reported by boxing insiders, appeared to be confirmed by Benavidez Sr himself when he posted multiple videos of Davis working out to his Instagram account overnight. The clips show Davis hitting mitts and pad work under Benavidez Sr’s guidance, signaling a new chapter in the 31-year-old’s career.
Davis’s decision to switch trainers comes on the heels of a controversial performance on March 1, 2025, when he fought to a majority draw with Lamont Roach Jr. The bout, which took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, saw Davis retain his title, but the result was widely criticized. Roach, a former super featherweight champion moving up in weight, outworked Davis for long stretches and landed vicious body shots that drained the champion’s energy. The biggest point of contention came in the later rounds when Davis took an illegal knee to the body during a clinch. Referee Harvey Dock did not call it a knockdown, which would have given Roach a 10-8 round and potentially the win. Many observers, including former fighters and analysts, argued that the knockdown should have counted, leading to calls for a rematch.
Under Calvin Ford, Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) had built a reputation as one of boxing’s most explosive punchers. Ford trained Davis since his amateur days and was in his corner for all of his professional victories, including knockout wins over Leo Santa Cruz, Ryan Garcia, and Hector Luis Garcia. Davis’s power and speed made him a pay-per-view star, but his discipline inside the ring has sometimes been questioned. The illegal knee against Roach was the latest in a series of controversial moments that include a late weigh-in miss before the Garcia fight and a knockout after the bell in a previous bout. The new partnership with Benavidez Sr is seen as an attempt to add a more strategic layer to Davis’s preparation.
Who Is Jose Benavidez Sr and What Does He Bring?
Jose Benavidez Sr is best known as the father and trainer of David Benavidez, the former WBC super middleweight champion and one of the most feared punchers in the sport. Under Benavidez Sr’s guidance, David Benavidez compiled a record of 28-0 with 24 knockouts before moving up to light heavyweight. The elder Benavidez has a reputation for developing aggressive, pressure-based fighters who cut off the ring and throw high-volume combinations. That style could complement Davis’s natural power, which he has primarily used in counter-punching bursts rather than sustained pressure.
Benavidez Sr’s Instagram posts indicate he has already begun working with Davis on defensive angles and footwork. In one clip, Davis works on slipping punches and firing back with hooks to the body and head. Another video shows mitt work emphasizing looping left hooks and right hands. Benavidez Sr has not yet commented publicly on the partnership, but his social media activity suggests he is fully integrated into Davis’s camp.
The decision to switch trainers is not unprecedented for Davis. He had a brief stint with Kevin Cunningham before returning to Ford after his 2018 win over Jesus Cuellar. However, this change comes at a crucial point in Davis’s career. He is rumored to be in talks for a rematch with Lamont Roach Jr., which could take place in late 2025. A win would set up potential fights against Shakur Stevenson, Vasiliy Lomachenko, or Devin Haney at 135 pounds. Davis has also hinted at moving up to 140 pounds for a showdown with Teofimo Lopez or Subriel Matias.
Lamont Roach Jr. has been vocal about the controversy of the draw and has demanded a second fight. In a recent interview, Roach said, “I beat Tank Davis that night. The whole world saw it. Now he chooses to change trainers because he knows I exposed holes in his game. I look forward to fighting him again and making it official.” Roach’s performance earned him widespread respect, and a rematch would be a major event.
Historical Context and Career Highlights
Gervonta Davis turned professional in 2013 at age 18, knocking out his first 10 opponents within two rounds. He won his first world title in 2017 by stopping Jose Pedraza for the IBF super featherweight belt. Since then, Davis has held titles in three weight classes and has headlined multiple pay-per-view events on Showtime and now on Prime Video through PBC. His biggest victories include a sixth-round knockout of Leo Santa Cruz in 2020 for the WBA lightweight title, a seventh-round body-shot knockout of Ryan Garcia in 2023, and a unanimous decision over Hector Luis Garcia in 2023. Davis’s 91% knockout ratio is among the highest in the sport.
However, Davis’s career has also been marked by legal troubles and out-of-ring incidents. He served a 90-day house arrest in 2022 after pleading guilty to a hit-and-run accident. He was arrested in 2020 on a domestic violence charge, which was later dropped. His erratic behavior has sometimes overshadowed his boxing achievements, but his fan base remains strong. The new training arrangement with Benavidez Sr might be an attempt to refocus Davis on his craft and avoid the distractions that have plagued him.
Calvin Ford’s departure from Davis’s corner came as a surprise, given their long professional relationship. Ford has not commented on the split, but sources close to the camp say it was amicable. Davis himself posted a thank-you message to Ford on social media, calling him “the man who taught me everything.” The mutual respect suggests that Davis simply felt a new voice was needed to elevate his game.
Analysis and Future Outlook
The pairing of Davis with Benavidez Sr is intriguing on several levels. Benavidez Sr’s strength lies in conditioning and volume punching. David Benavidez is known for his incredible stamina and ability to throw over 100 punches per round. If Benavidez Sr can instill similar work rate in Davis, the champion would become even more dangerous. Davis historically relies on his power to end fights early. In rounds five through twelve, his punch output drops significantly. Against Roach, Davis threw only 38 punches per round, compared to Roach’s 55. Benavidez Sr will likely try to sharpen Davis’s endurance and ring generalship to avoid leaving rounds to interpretation.
Defensively, Davis has often relied on his chin and reflexes to avoid damage. He has never been knocked down as a professional, though the disputed knee could be considered a knockdown. Benavidez Sr may implement a tighter guard and more active head movement to protect Davis against body punchers like Roach. The videos from Instagram show Davis practicing shoulder rolls and parries, which could be a sign of a more defensively responsible approach.
On the business side, Davis remains a major draw. He headlined the highest-grossing event in PBC history with the Garcia fight, generating over 2 million pay-per-view buys. His contract with Premier Boxing Champions is believed to have several fights remaining, and his newfound partnership with Benavidez Sr should not affect those commitments. However, if the new trainer yields positive results, it could rejuvenate Davis’s momentum and open doors to even bigger fights.
The lightweight division is currently in a state of flux. Undisputed champion Devin Haney recently moved up to junior welterweight after winning the WBC and WBO titles. Davis is the WBA champion, while Shakur Stevenson holds the WBC belt and Vasiliy Lomachenko holds the IBF belt. A unification fight between Davis and Stevenson has been discussed for years, but promotional and network barriers have prevented it. Similarly, a fight with Lomachenko, who will turn 37 next year, would be a true legacy bout for Davis. The winner of a Davis-Roach rematch could potentially face the winner of a Stevenson-Lomachenko fight to crown an undisputed champion.
There is also the possibility of Davis moving up to 140 pounds. He has talked about the weight being tough to make, and at 5-foot-5, he is small for the division. But his power has carried through every weight class, and he knocked out former 140-pound champion Mario Barrios after moving up for the fight. A matchup with Teofimo Lopez, now the WBO junior welterweight champion, would be massive. Lopez and Davis have traded insults online, and their contrasting styles—Lopez’s power and boxing IQ versus Davis’s explosive counter-punching—would be a fan’s dream.
Jose Benavidez Sr’s involvement with Davis does not affect his work with his son David, who is training for a potential fight against Don Callover. The elder Benavidez has expressed interest in continuing to develop both fighters simultaneously. If successful, this could establish a new training stable similar to the way Eddy Reynoso handles Canelo Alvarez and other fighters. Davis’s addition to the Benavidez camp is a major coup for the trainer and could elevate his profile in the industry.
The first test for the new partnership will likely come in the summer or fall of 2025. Davis has not yet announced his next opponent, but the rematch with Roach appears to be the frontrunner. Roach, who is 30-1-1 with 12 knockouts, has earned the opportunity and has generated significant public interest. The illegal knee controversy ensures that the rematch will be one of the most anticipated fights of the year.
Davis’s decision to replace Calvin Ford with Benavidez Sr is a clear signal that he recognizes the need to evolve. At 31, he is entering the peak years of his prime. He has the power to flatten anyone in the division, but he must address the tactical shortcomings exposed by Roach. If Benavidez Sr can sharpen his defense and increase his volume, Davis could cement his status as a future Hall of Famer. If not, the same flaws may be exploited again.
As the boxing world awaits the official confirmation from the fighter’s team, Benavidez Sr’s social media activity has already provided a glimpse of what’s to come. The clips of Davis training hard under new supervision suggest a fresh energy in camp. Fans can only wait to see if this translates into a more polished and dominant version of “Tank” Davis.
Source:MSN News