Floyd Mayweather was pissed off when a sparring session involving his protege did not go according to plan.
Gervonta Davis has been backed to the hilt by the 50-0 boxing great, a fact which is best proven by Mayweather’s decision to have Davis compete in the co-main event of last month’s lucrative Money Fight event.
Prior to Mayweather vs. McGregor, Davis claimed a bizarre stoppage over the unheralded Francisco Fonseca in the eighth round, taking his record to 19-0.
Davis lost his IBF junior lightweight title on the scales by failing to make weight for his fight with Fonseca and he flattered to deceive in what was supposed to be a showcase bout.
English fighter Asinia Byfield was drafted in to Davis’ fight camp as a sparring partner and, apparently, the Southern Area super-welterweight champion gave him plenty of trouble in the ring.
Byfield has spoken about his first session with the undefeated ‘Tank’ and revealed how Davis’ mentor became frustrated with what he saw to the point that he had to leave his own gym.
“From the moment I got there, I made a lot of noise and was calling everyone out. They didn’t like it!” Byfield told BoxingNewsOnline.
“They got fed up of my mouth and they were thinking: ‘Let’s get in there and shut him up!’ They were queuing up to spar me!
“The first day I did eight rounds with Gervonta – and then a ninth round that went on for around 20 minutes. That was in the doghouse. I got through it and at the end, I still felt strong, but Gervonta was fading and Floyd wasn’t happy! He stormed out of the gym.”
Byfield next takes to the ring on October 7, when he defends his Southern Area belt against Max Wicks, and the 28-year-old feels that his experience in Las Vegas with Davis has only improved his game.
Byfield added: “Gervonta was strong, but I figured him out and the second time we sparred, I was all over him and he didn’t want to know.
“I was already confident – and now I’m super confident. My head has really grown.”
