Gervonta “Tank” Davis is wanted by police following domestic violence allegations, having seen his fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul cancelled late last year
An arrest warrant has been issued for boxing star Gervonta “Tank” Davis. It is in connection with an alleged domestic violence incident from October, which saw WBA lightweight champion’s exhibition fight with Jake Paul get cancelled.
The warrant has been issued on charges including false imprisonment, battery and attempted kidnapping. Davis had been accused of those indiscretions by an ex-girlfriend.
Miami Gardens (Florida) Police Department executive officer Emmanuel Jeanty confirmed that they are working to find Davis, with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.
“At this time, the Miami Gardens Police Department is actively working with the United States Marshal’s fugitive task force to locate and apprehend Mr. Davis,” Jeanty said. “Domestic violence is a serious crime, and the Miami Gardens Police Department remains committed to holding offenders accountable and protecting victims.”
According to a lawsuit filed, Davis attacked ex-partner Courtney Rossel at her place of work on October 27 and had previously threatened to kill her. Ms. Rossel also alleges Davis “physically assaulted and choked” her on at least four other occasions. She is seeking damages of $50,000 and a jury trial.
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Police said that surveillance footage corroborates the victim’s story. “The investigation determined that Mr. Davis used force to restrain in an attempt to remove the victim from the location against her will,” Jeanty added.
“What the police said is exactly in line with our lawsuit. So whatever investigation they did, they determined it was enough to get a judge to sign off on an arrest warrant,” Jeff Chukwuma, Rossel’s attorney, told ESPN. “The state attorney had to make the determination before, which coincides exactly with our civil complaint.”
Paul and Davis were due to fight in an exhibition bout in Miami on November 14, despite their discrepancy in weight class, with Davis operating at lightweight and Paul usually at cruiserweight.
The fight would not be an exhibition but see a winner declared either by stoppage, or by two human judges and an AI official if the bout went the distance.
But following the filing of the lawsuit, Most Valuable Promotions decided to find a new opponent for Paul. That was ultimately Anthony Joshua.
At the time, Paul wrote on social media concerning the cancellation: “Working with him is an absolute nightmare.
“The unprofessionalism, the bizarre requests, the showing up hours late to shoots. To the numerous arrests and related accusations and lawsuits.
“If you support this man you support the most vile sin a man can commit… I’m so sorry to everyone involved.”
Paul reserved a December date in Miami as an alternative in case his dust-up with Davis failed to materialise. After issuing several call-outs, British boxing icon Joshua obliged the American.
AJ eventually knocked Paul out in the sixth, having dropped his foe twice in the previous round. The former Disney actor saw his jaw broken in two places.
