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WHAT'S NEXT FOR FLOYD MAYWEATHER PROTEGE GERVONTA DAVIS?

When the self-proclaimed 'best ever fighter' Floyd Mayweather Jr announced his retirement from the top level of boxing, instead focusing on exhibitions and money bouts, many wondered who could eventually replace him as the next stand out pay-per-view star of the future. 

Of course, since 'Money' Mayweather has sailed off into the cash-laden sunset after a hugely decorated career which spanned over two incredible decades of success, the sport of boxing has not been affected. In fact, boxing has been on a great surge in recent years, with new big names coming to the fore and fans finally seeing the best champions from each and every division putting politics aside and squaring off with each other. 

One young fighter who has been making plenty of noise of late is that of Mayweather protege Gervonta Davis, with the highly talented and hard-hitting American now beginning to establish himself as a top draw in the sport. 

The rampantly rising American is widely tipped to face off with fellow countryman Tevin Farmer at some stage during their intertwining careers. But the latter current IBF title holder must first deal with the threat of Irishman Jono Carroll before looking ahead to that much touted encounter, in which he is the odds-on 1/8 favourite in bet365's boxing betting to prevail on United States soil during St Patrick's Day weekend. 

Moneyweather v Marquez at MGM Grand, Las Vegas by ian mcwilliams (CC BY 2.0)

There are plenty of options out there for Davis at and around his current weight class. But fans and pundits alike have become increasingly frustrated at the involvement of promoter Mayweather, who clearly adores the spotlight and being in front of the cameras talking nonsense, even if it means the overlooking of his own stable talents such as Davis. 

At just 24 years of age, Davis has his whole career ahead of him and, having already reigned as a world champion at super-featherweight, he can continue to establish his ever growing reputation and become a huge name inside the squared-circle for potentially the next decade. 

Vasyl Lomachenko, widely regarded as the best fighter on the planet and the number one pound-for-pound star in the sport, has long been tipped as a future opponent for the more youthful Davis. It's a mouth-watering clash that would undoubtedly be one of the best bouts that can currently be made in boxing, but Mayweather has dismissed any talk of it, sadly. 

Instead, following his brutal first-round knock out of stand-in opponent Hugo Ruiz, Davis is being lined up for a pointless exhibition against former Mayweather foe Tenshin Nasukawa, much to the anger of fans. 

At a time when he should be pushing for unification and the biggest match-ups, Davis is instead being held back by his supposed mentor. This is prize fighting first and foremost, so getting the biggest paydays is a crucial aspect, but Mayweather is now pushing his protege in the same direction as his own career went; avoiding the biggest threats until they're less dangerous and focusing on the money. 

Davis has the talent and credentials to become a massive name in the sport but he is at risk of being held back by his money-obsessed mentor Mayweather, rather than aiming to secure his legacy in the more awaited clashes against the likes of Farmer, Lomachenko and other world champions around his weight division. 

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