Gervonta Davis’ resume speaks volumes, doesn’t it? Those who’ve been tracking his rise since his amateur days know he was already a force to be reckoned with before even stepping into the professional ring at 18 in 2013. Starting his journey at the Upton Boxing Center in West Baltimore at just five years old, Davis learned early on how to win with barely a scratch on him. True to his nickname, “Tank,” he’s become the embodiment of the name—unstoppable, and built to last.He’s never shown any signs of ring rust, always delivering the kind of fight his fans expect—no ifs, ands, or buts. Matter of fact, at 30 years old with a perfect 30-0 record, with 28 of them coming via knockouts, his reign shows no signs of slowing down. Now, that’s impressive, isn’t it? But have you ever wondered where the Tank nickname originated? If you’re someone deep in the world of combat sports, you might have guessed already. But for the rest, here’s the story.Why is Gervonta Davis’ nickname Tank?Look at his face. Beyond his diamond-crested grills, his stylish braids, and his tattoos, what else is clearly visible? It’s his head, which is noticeably larger compared to his body, something he’s known since childhood, and not just a quirky observation. According to Mayweather Promotions, this is where the name was born.So who gave him the moniker of Tank? That honor belongs to his longtime coach and father figure, Calvin Ford. The nickname came during Gervonta Davis’ amateur days when he was already decimating the competition. By 2012, he had amassed a staggering 206 wins in the amateur circuit, including multiple National Golden Gloves, Junior Olympics golds, and national championships. Was the nickname just a fun quirk? Absolutely not. It was earned. But was it necessary to keep the pet name all along?The answer is yes. It’s because his nickname doesn’t only fit the bill when it comes to his appearance. It also perfectly mirrors his explosive in-ring power. On top of it, it’s also a mark of respect for the coach who helped shape him. In early 2025, Gervonta Davis took to Instagram to share something personal when rumors were rife of fissures in his equation with coach Calvin. He revealed that he had coach Calvin’s name tattooed on his body. “Calvin is pops. He ain’t going nowhere,” the Baltimore native stated.And now it seems like the moniker Tank no longer represents a boy with a slightly larger head. Instead, it represents the force that flattens everything in its path. And who knows, he might also crush his opponent Lamont Roach Jr. in the same way in their upcoming March 1st fight at Barclays Center, Brooklyn. But apart from that, the WBA Lightweight Champion also goes by another name. Which is?Why has Gervonta Davis changed his name?It was Christmas Eve 2023 when Gervonta Davis embraced Islam at a Maryland mosque led by Imam Hassan Abdi, who was struck by Davis’ humility despite his fame.And what led to this transformation? Inspired by Muhammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay, Davis made the big announcement on social media. He solidified his faith by performing the shahada, the Islamic testimony of faith. Along with his new spiritual journey, Davis revealed his Muslim name, Abdul Wahid, which translates to ‘The Servant of The One,’ symbolizing his deep commitment to Islam.Gervonta Davis even received a warm welcome from the boxing and MMA communities, with champions like Badou Jack and UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev extending their support. Despite adopting his new name, the Baltimore native hasn’t shown signs of officially changing his fighting identity. The 30-year-old’s social media still showcases his old name, ‘Gervonta Davis,’ suggesting he may continue to fight under his original moniker, similar to Mike Tyson, who kept his ring name even after accepting Islam.So what do you think about his decision to keep his real name? And most importantly, who do you think will win in the March 1st fight – Gervonta Davis or Lamont Roach Jr.?The post Real Meaning & Origin Behind Gervonta Davis’ Nickname ‘Tank’ Revealed appeared first on EssentiallySports.