Floyd Mayweather Jr. seems to have found Gervonta Davis' replacement in his boxing promotion company, after 'Tank' left Mayweather Promotions in 2022. On March 22, 2025, the boxing world witnessed an exciting match at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas. While many were focused on Sebastian Fundora defending his unified light middleweight titles, another exciting narrative unfolded in the undercard featuring emerging talent Jursly Vargas.
Once considered an unstoppable duo, the relationship between Mayweather and Davis has since soured. Davis, a Baltimore native whose career skyrocketed under Mayweather's guidance starting back in 2015, officially severed ties with Mayweather Promotions before his highly anticipated fight against Rolando Romero. Since then, the two have been exchanging barbs on social media, suggesting deep divides in their once-close relationship.
Enter Jursly Vargas, a 20-year-old lightweight nicknamed ‘The Gorilla’. Vargas made a notable entrance into the professional boxing scene by delivering a stunning first-round KO of Yanko Naydenov in Amsterdam during his professional debut in 2022. Within a month of that match, Vargas signed with Mayweather Promotions, a move that set the groundwork for what many hope will be the next chapter in Mayweather’s legacy.
On the evening of March 22, Vargas faced 33-year-old Uhlices Avelino-Reyes in his fifth professional fight, making headlines yet again with another knockout victory, this time in the fourth round. “Follow & congratulate @mayweatherpromotions fighter @jurslyy on his win in a 4th round knockout!” Mayweather expressed enthusiastically on his Instagram story following the fight.
As Vargas continues to climb the ranks with a record of five wins, four by knockout, some commentators are already dubbing him “Tank Clone” due to the similarities in their fighting styles, speed, and physicality. However, Vargas acknowledges that he has a long way to go before such comparisons can be substantiated. “I still have much to do before I can be considered in the same company as Tank,” Vargas admitted in various interviews.
Vargas’ journey in combat sports began as a kickboxer. Raised partly in Rotterdam, Netherlands, he transitioned to boxing at age 16 and quickly began to amass experience through amateur bouts in Amsterdam, Germany, and England. The turning point for his career came after signing with Mayweather Promotions, leading him to the renowned Mayweather gym in Las Vegas. Training at the legendary facility has sharpened Vargas’ skills immensely, as he trains alongside elite sparring partners under the watchful eyes of veteran coaches.
The young fighter's aspirations are clear: Vargas aims to compete for a world title by the age of 21. Beyond the professional aspect, Vargas has developed a mentor-mentee bond with Mayweather. Speaking about their relationship, Vargas expressed gratitude for the support he receives from Mayweather. “We started traveling a lot together. Right now, I can call him, and he answers. He always tells me things that I have to do and good decisions to make. He’s just a mentor, he’s always there. He changed my life, and I’m grateful for everything,” Vargas said in a recent interview.
In addition to Vargas, fellow young boxer Joseph Brown, who claimed his own victory on the same Fundora-Booker undercard, is also making headlines. Brown, an 18-year-old 6x national champion, boasts a record of five wins with four coming by way of knockout. Before his fight on March 22, Mayweather shared words of encouragement for Brown, urging fans to support the promising young star.
The boxing world continues to closely watch Mayweather's new protégés as they attempt to fill the gap left by Davis. The departure of the once close partnership with Davis raises questions about Mayweather’s ability to cultivate another superstar. “Is Jursly Vargas the next Gervonta Davis, or just another flash in the pan?” This ongoing narrative serves as a central theme in discussions around Mayweather Promotions as they seek to redefine their identity in the wake of Davis’ departure.
On February 24, 2025, Gervonta Davis stirred the pot further by posting a training video on social media with a cryptic caption, “Life is better when you’re gone and I don’t need ya… #TheONE.” Such social media exchanges highlight the stark contrast between the past glories of their partnership and their present-day rivalry.
As Mayweather continues to scout promising talent and mentor young boxers like Vargas and Brown, the question remains: will the mentorship bond he has forged with Vargas be as fruitful and lasting as it was with Davis? For now, Vargas is carving his path in the boxing world—one knockout at a time—while the legacy of his predecessors looms large in the shadows.
With eyes set on a world title by 21 and the backing of a mentor who knows the ins and outs of success in boxing, Jursly Vargas is ready to take center stage. Only time will reveal if he will emerge from the shadows of his predecessor or if he is destined for greatness in his own right.
