Baltimore Boxer Gervonta Davis Arrested on Kidnapping, Battery Charges

Charges stem from alleged October 2025 incident in Miami Gardens

Jan. 31, 2026 at 8:15am

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Professional boxer Gervonta 'Tank' Davis was arrested in Miami on charges of attempted kidnapping, false imprisonment and battery. Davis' attorney claims the boxer is actually the victim in the case and that the charges will expose "a level of criminality" once the full story is told in court.

Why it matters

Davis is a high-profile boxer from Baltimore who has had previous run-ins with law enforcement in South Florida. The alleged incident led to the cancellation of a scheduled fight between Davis and YouTuber Jake Paul.

The details

According to police, the charges against Davis stem from an incident at a Miami Gardens business on October 27, 2025. Davis was taken into custody on January 28 by a fugitive task force in Miami's Design District. His attorney claims Davis is the victim in the case and that the charges will expose "a level of criminality" once the full story is told in court.

  • The alleged incident occurred on October 27, 2025.
  • Davis was arrested on January 28, 2026.
  • Davis bonded out of jail on January 29, 2026.

The players

Gervonta 'Tank' Davis

A professional boxer from Baltimore who is a regular in conversations about the best pound-for-pound boxers. The WBA lightweight champion has won his first 30 bouts, 28 of them by knockout.

Simon Steckel

The attorney for Gervonta Davis, who claims his client is actually the victim in the case and that the charges will expose "a level of criminality" once the full story is told in court.

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What they’re saying

“Gervonta Davis is actually a victim here, and I look forward to establishing that shocking narrative in court. What has happened to Gervonta Davis in this case will transcend the initial charges against him and expose a level of criminality which will be talked about long after his charges are resolved.”

— Simon Steckel, Attorney for Gervonta Davis

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Davis to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal troubles of high-profile athletes, raising questions about the challenges they face and the need for better support systems to help them navigate the pressures of fame and public scrutiny.