Three-division world champion Gervonta Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) has often been compared to the grand wizard of boxing, Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs). His skill set and ring IQ even paved the way for him to be branded a ‘Modern Day Mike Tyson.’ On the other hand, Davis recently followed Tyson’s footsteps by converting to Islam.
‘Tank’ took Shahadah (the Muslim profession of faith) along with his two other friends at the Masjid Al-Hidaayah in Woodlawn on December 24, 2023. The trio were joined by the Imam of the Germantown Masjid for their initiation.
Former WBC cruiserweight champion Badou Jack (28-3-3, 17 KOs) took to X to congratulate Davis and welcome him into the Islamic faith.
Youtuber turned boxer DeenTheGreat also congratulated Davis. He further added, “I’ll lay off calling ’em out for now. Before converting to Islam, Davis was a follower of the Christian faith. Moreover, he even has a cross tattoo on his right arm.
Not the first boxer to convert to Islam
In converting, Davis follows the footsteps of boxing greats like Tyson and Muhammad Ali (56-5, 37 KOs). Ali joined Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Muhammad after meeting Malcolm X in 1964. This also saw Ali officially changing his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali.
“Cassius Clay was my slave name. I’m no longer a slave. Muhammad means ‘worthy of all praises,’ and Ali means ‘most high’”, Ali said about changing his name. “I want to be called by that name. I write autographs with that name. I want to be known all over the world as that name.”
Meanwhile, it is widely reported that Tyson accepted Islam while serving time in prison. However, in an interview, the champ refuted these claims and mentioned that he had converted before going to prison.
“It sounds good for the books and the paper. So, I let them go with it. But that’s not true,” the champ said. “I was Muslim before I went there.”
Davis’ conversion has undoubtedly excited Muslim boxing fans, who have also taken to the comments to welcome him into the faith.
