Boxing Champion Gervonta Davis Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges

The WBA lightweight titleholder faces allegations of false imprisonment, battery, and attempted kidnapping after a two-week manhunt by Miami police.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:10pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffs against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the arrest of a boxer on domestic violence charges.The arrest of a champion boxer on domestic violence charges sparks debate over accountability in professional sports.Miami Gardens Today

Gervonta Davis, the reigning WBA lightweight champion, has been arrested in Miami on charges of false imprisonment, battery, and attempted kidnapping. The charges stem from an alleged incident in October, and Davis has a history of domestic violence allegations from previous relationships. The boxer was released on $16,000 bail, sparking debate about the fairness of the justice system's handling of such cases.

Why it matters

Davis' arrest is the latest high-profile incident involving allegations of domestic violence in professional sports, raising questions about accountability and the sport's response to these issues. The case also highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing patterns of abusive behavior and ensuring the safety of victims.

The details

According to the Miami Gardens Police Department, Davis, 31, is accused of physically assaulting a victim, allegedly grabbing her by the hair and throat and attempting to forcefully move her. The police statement was backed by video surveillance footage. This is not the first time Davis has faced such allegations, as he has a history of domestic violence claims from previous relationships, including a civil lawsuit filed by an ex-girlfriend in October.

  • On January 15th, 2026, Miami Gardens Police issued a warrant for Davis' arrest.
  • On January 25th, 2026, Davis was arrested in Miami.
  • In October 2025, Davis' former girlfriend, Courtney Rossel, filed a civil lawsuit against him, accusing him of battery, aggravated battery, and kidnapping.
  • In February 2020 and December 2022, Davis was previously arrested on similar domestic violence charges.
  • In 2023, Davis served time in jail for violating the terms of his house arrest sentence related to a hit-and-run case.

The players

Gervonta Davis

A 31-year-old professional boxer and the reigning WBA lightweight champion, who has been arrested on charges of false imprisonment, battery, and attempted kidnapping.

Courtney Rossel

Davis' former girlfriend, who filed a civil lawsuit against him in October 2025, accusing him of battery, aggravated battery, and kidnapping.

Miami Gardens Police Department

The law enforcement agency that issued a warrant for Davis' arrest and made the apprehension.

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What they’re saying

“We must hold professional athletes accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to allegations of domestic violence. The justice system needs to ensure the safety of victims and send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated.”

— Sarah Lerner, Domestic Violence Advocate

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether to grant Davis bail or keep him in custody as the legal proceedings continue.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence in professional sports and the need for stronger accountability measures and support systems for victims. It also raises questions about the fairness of the justice system's handling of such high-profile cases.