Tim Bradley has launched a scathing rant on Gervonta Davis and his handlers after it was announced that he’ll be defending his world title against Lamont Roach.
Davis puts his undefeated record on the line and WBA lightweight crown against current WBA super featherweight title holder, Roach at the Toyota Center in Houston on December 14.
‘Tank’ has been unable to secure mega showdowns with the likes of Shakur Stevenson and Vasiliy Lomachenko, possibly due to all three fighting on different platforms.
Former two-weight world champion, Bradley feels the Baltimore star is being protected from facing elite opposition.
“This is the Tank protection programme,” the 41-year-old told ESPN State Of Boxing.
“This has been going on a long time people.
“They’ve been bringing fighters up from a lower weight class to get in there with Tank.
“Tank looks spectacular, but it’s a cover up.
“I’mma tell your right now. I think Tank is a good fighter. I don’t know how great he is, but from the looks of it and the matches he’s having, the dude looks like a total fraud.
“Put him in the ring with someone who can punch back. Somebody with a great IQ.”
Roach has won six on the bounce since a sole professional defeat to Jamel Herring, stopping Feargal McCrory in eight rounds in June and was granted permission by the WBA to face ‘Tank’.
Davis scored a showreel eighth round stoppage over Frank Martin in June and Bradley feels the 29-year-old could have faced Edwin De Los Santos, who lost to Stevenson on points last November.
“They’re saying they didn’t have an opponent for him, yes you do,” he added.
“You do have an opponent in your stable, his name is De Los Santos.
“We wouldn’t mind and the fans wouldn’t mind paying for a De Los Santos fight, but they’re covering something.
“I don’t know what it is. Is it the power of De Los Santos that they’re worried about?
“You know the fact that he’s a southpaw? Tank was doing a whole lot of talking when Shakur Stevenson put everybody to sleep with De Los Santos, but he won’t step his behind in the ring and face a De Los Santos.
“That’s the fight that everybody wants to see. No one’s going to pay for this pay-per-view.
“People are going to show up, because it’s Tank Davis, but those pay-per-view numbers that you’re chasing, it’s just going to be a wishing well.”
