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Local boxer embraces job as role model

Posted at 11:49 PM, Mar 23, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-23 23:49:40-04

He's a man of few words, but with 13 knockouts and a 14-0 record, Gervonta "Tank" Davis lets his fists do the talking.

Tank was honored at his home gym in West Baltimore Wednesday. He's only 21 years old, but his boxing career started at just six when his uncles brought him to the Upton Boxing Gym on Pennsylvania Avenue. 

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joined friends and family to announce the Baltimore boxer's upcoming fight. 

"I watched him with his hard work and what he's been doing over the years," proud mother Kenya Brown said. "So to see him accomplishing his dream. It feels really good."

His mom was ringside taking it all in. She's thrilled with the path her son took. 

"To show people that violence and selling drugs is not always the way," she said. "You know you find you talent, you stick with it, work hard at what you do."

At 5 feet, 6 inches, 130 pounds the featherweight boxer seems like a giant in the eyes of young fans like Muhammad Robinson.

"It tells me when I grow older, I could be just like him," Robinson said.

Tank Davis will be taking on Guillermo Avila Friday April 1 at the DC Armory. The fight will also be broadcast on Spike TV at 9 p.m.