Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, Teofimo Lopez: the fall of the golden generation of U.S. boxing at light heavyweight

In the not too distant past, it appeared as if the United States was set to dominate boxing’s light heavyweight division. However, Gervonta Davis, who remains the WBA lightweight champion, is the latest American fighter to run into trouble.

The 30-year-old boasts an unbeaten record in 31 bouts, although his bizarrely dreadful performance in the last of them raises serious doubts about where he’s at right now.

Gervonta Davis struggles to controversial draw

Davis defended his WBA lightweight title against outsider Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1, but failed to win for the first time in his career against the +900 outsider. Not only that, but he was fortunate to escape with a draw, with referee inexplicably deciding there was no knockdown despite Davis taking a knee.

The New York State Athletic Commission confirmed the result would stand, despite the controversy. Had the knockdown been called as it should have been, “The Tank” would no longer have the belt around his waist, or still be undefeated.

Away from the ring, Davis has had a number of run-ins with the law, including a hit-and-run incident that led to a house arrest, which turned into a 44-day prison sentence after he violated the terms of that house arrest.

In April 2023, Davis recorded one of the highest-profile wins of his career against the previously undefeated Ryan Garcia, whose star has also faded.

Ryan Garcia fined, suspended and expelled

“The Flash” had gained popularity thanks to his social media activity, in addition to his in-ring abilities. Following the loss to Davis, however, Garcia began displaying somewhat odd online behaviour, claiming to have evidence of elite pedophile rings and the existence of aliens.

Last year, the 26-year-old Californian was due to face Devin Haney for the WBC super lightweight title but missed the weight, making him ineligible to claim the belt. The fight did take place and Garcia dropped his opponent several times to claim a a majority decision victory, only for it to be revealed he had failed a pre-fight drug test for performance-enhancing drugs.

Garcia was fined $1.1 million and suspended for a year, while he was expelled by the WBC after making racist comments against black people and Muslims during a live stream. His family released a statement saying the boxer was receiving help to deal with “his ongoing struggle with his mental health”.

Following the defeat, Haney successfully requested the WBC for “Champion in Recess” status and hasn’t fought since as he continues to challenge the result. He is, however, set to return to the ring on May 2 against Jose Ramirez as he looks to get his career back on track.

Shakur Stevenson has held the WBC lightweight title since November 2023 and is 23-0 in his professional career. Yet he has received plenty of criticism for a perceived passive style of boxing, which has led to him being booed in three consecutive fights.

Teofimo Lopez fails to build on Lomachenko win

And finally, Teofimo Lopez. When the New Yorker defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko to take three world titles off the Ukrainian in October 2020, it appeared as if the U.S. could be set to dominate the lightweight division for the foreseeable future.

However, his reign lasted just a single bout after he was beaten by the unfancied George Kambosos Jr, who has only won one of four fights since.

Despite five straight wins since then, Lopez’s in-ring performances have been unconvincing, the 27-year-old unable to reach the same level of dominance as earlier in his career.

Lopez has also had family dramas to contend with, announced his retirement several times before backtracking, while he been accused of making racist comments against black fighters.

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