Why this innocent-looking photo led Aussie fighter to claim one of the world’s best boxers ‘doesn’t like white people’

• Taylah Robertson recalls awkward interaction with Tank Davis
• Davis has held the WBA world lightweight crown since 2023   

By JAMES COONEY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Australian boxer Taylah Robertson has revealed a awkward interaction she had with boxing champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis where she was informed that he didn’t like white people.

Robertson, a super flyweight who won a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, was being interviewed on an American podcast when she was asked about a photo she got with Davis.

The 26-year-old Aussie happened to be training in the same gym as the world champ ahead of his blockbuster bout with Ryan Garcia in 2023.

‘He’s been my favorite fighter for a long time now,’ she told The Spit Bucket Podcast.

‘But that photo has a funny story because I went up to him in the gym, because we were training in the same gym. And he’s got his bodyguard and all that. I was like, “Can I get a photo with you?”‘ 

Robertson says Davis didn’t seem enthusiastic about posing for a shot.

Australian boxer Taylah Robertson has revealed an odd interaction she had with boxing champ Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in 2023

Robertson says Davis didn’t seem particularly happy to be photographed

‘He literally just stared at me like this. And if you can tell in the photo when I got the photo, he just looked at the camera for a second,’ she recounted.

‘After, to everyone, [Robertson said] “I don’t feel like he was that like… Obviously, he’s in camp” then they were like “no, he doesn’t like white people”. Oh damn,’ she laughed.

Davis has been caught up in several controversies, both inside and outside the ring, but none to do with accusations of racism.

The talented WBA lightweight champion was fortunate to earn a draw in his last outing against Lamont Roach in March.

In a bizarre ninth-round moment, Davis moved backwards before taking a knee unprovoked and heading over to his corner, which he later revealed was to get grease out of his eyes following a recent hair appointment.

The move was not scored as a knockdown by referee Steve Willis, but a ‘veteran referee’ told reporter Chris Mannix that Davis getting his face wiped by his corner during the match could have led to his disqualification from the fight.

Furthermore, that unnamed ref and two other anonymous officials all agreed that Davis’ kneel-down should have been deemed a knockdown, which would have given Roach a stunning win.

Davis confirmed after the fight he ran water through his hair earlier on Saturday to try and negate the problem, which seemingly didn’t work.

Davis’ last bout with Lamont Roach for Davis’ WBA lightweight belt was controversial

‘I didn’t want to get caught while my eyes was burning,’ he said after the fight.

‘And you can’t get knocked out like that. So I’d rather take the knee. But I didn’t really know that you can, like, get the disqualified for all that. When [Willis] started counting, I’m like, “What the hell?”‘

During Davis’ knee, Willis initially started an eight-count but ultimately did not penalize the fighter for the curious moment.

The champion tried to explain why he took a knee to briefly halt the contest, with Willis replying: ‘I understand, but when you take a knee like that, it looks like a knockdown.’

Roach was ultimately forced to settle for a majority draw thanks to two judges’ scores of 114-114 and a 115-113 verdict in favor of Davis.

Ryan GarciaGervonta Davis

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Why this innocent-looking photo led Aussie fighter to claim one of the world’s best boxers ‘doesn’t like white people’

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