Davis's boxing career began to gain attention with his first major title win in 2017. Nick Mosby once said that "Tank... literally carries the city of Baltimore on his back," illustrating Davis’s impact both inside and outside the ring. But now, drawing inspiration from boxing legends like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, Davis decided to seek strength and guidance through his faith journey.
During the ceremony led by Imam Hassan Abdi, Davis chose the Muslim name Abdul Wahid, which means "servant of the One." Though he hasn't legally changed his name, this public announcement signifies a profound commitment. Imam Abdi described him as "very down-to-earth" and focused on improving himself as a human being.
One might see this conversion as coinciding with Davis's ongoing efforts to support his community. He invested in several properties in Baltimore's Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood, intending to offer affordable housing for local families. Alongside his charitable work, Imam Abdi believes these actions have pushed Davis towards exploring new beliefs and values. Islam offers us accountability, responsibility, and an encouragement to strive for improvement, explained Abdi.
In addition to his philanthropic pursuits, life outside the ring sometimes presented challenges for Davis. The controversies surrounding him often attempted to overshadow his remarkable achievements. Nonetheless, faith now plays a pivotal role in balancing aggression within the ropes with humility beyond them.
While Gervonta Davis didn’t explicitly cite some legal or spiritual necessity for converting to Islam and choosing such a unique path in sports history, his decision brings more layers into understanding what motivates him today.