Boxing Champion Gervonta 'Tank' Davis Buys Nine Houses in His Childhood Baltimore Neighborhood to Redevelop

WBA regular lightweight champion Gervonta 'Tank' Davis is giving back to the community that shaped him.

Davis returned home to Baltimore Thursday to purchase nine homes on the block he grew up on in West Baltimore's Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood, he and city council president Nick Mosby announced at a press conference.

"I definitely want to thank everybody that was included and helped us make this happen," Davis said.  "I feel as though when I was coming up, we didn't have somebody to be hands-on with us."

Davis earned the largest payday of his career when he defeated Ryan Garcia on Apr. 22. Garcia's promoter, Oscar De Le Hoya, says Garcia made $30 million for the bout, so Davis took home more than that.

Now, Davis has invested that money into redeveloping his home as Baltimore continues its series of initiatives to improve the city.

Davis is the WBA regular lightweight champion.Al Bello/Getty Images

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The nine properties will be acquired by Davis's GTD Development, renovated, and used to create affordable housing.  

"Tank, when he goes around the world, he literally carries the city of Baltimore on his back," Mosby said. "For you to come back, invest in your hometown, invest in your community, and invest in your block is truly, truly special."

Javon Edmonds