Having overcome a rough early life, Gervonta Davis has eyes squarely on Jose Pedraza's belt

By YahooSports.com

Gevonta Davis (R), shown during a win last year over Guillermo Avila, has overcome a rough upbringing to land a world title shot on Saturday against Jose Pedraza. (Getty Images)

Gervonta Davis isn’t unlike many boxers. He grew up poor, in a rough section of Baltimore, amid plenty of violence and drug usage. His parents were drug users. Friends were murdered or wound up in jail.

Boxing saved him.

Davis, though, managed to overcome it all. He’s 16-0 with 15 knockouts, and though he has yet to fight elite opposition, he’ll get it on Saturday on Showtime’s outstanding card at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. He meets unbeaten champion Jose Pedraza for the IBF super featherweight world title.

But he won’t forget the people back in Baltimore who fought the same struggle he did. It’s his job and a world title brings prestige and a lot more zeroes on the paycheck, but that’s not so much his motivation.

“Where I came from, there’s not a reason to have a lot of hope,” he said. “So much trouble, everywhere. But every now and then, someone makes it out and makes it big, and that person has an impact on a lot of other people. ‘Hey, if he can do it, so can I.’ So I hope that by me winning this title over a great fighter like Pedraza, it will be an inspiration to others.”

Davis is part of Mayweather Promotions, and was introduced to Floyd Mayweather by the flashy Adrien Broner. While Davis admits the lure of the money that has made Mayweather the richest boxer ever is enticing, he’s wise enough to understand that not everyone is going to be able to do what Mayweather did.

And money isn’t the be all and end all.

“I started fighting for the money, but I lost sight of what I really came to do,” he said. “I’ve dedicated myself to this team and I’m going to bring my heart and my mind into the ring. I’m going to show the fans and everybody watching what I’m really about.”

Pedraza, who is 22-0 with 12 KOs, is a slight favorite, and Davis knows he’s in for a tough night. Pedraza also has an edge in experience and has fought more high-level boxers than Davis, though Davis insists he’s not concerned.

Davis’ dedication to his craft and the tricks he’s learned from Mayweather have him fully confident.

“You never have the experience until you do it,” he said. “But I’m ready for this. This fight is at the perfect time for me. Pedraza is an excellent fighter, but I’m going back home with that belt.”