‘What I should have said’ – Johnny Nelson reflects on Tennyson beats Davis claim

Former world champion turned Sky Sports pundit Johnny Nelson has rowed back somewhat on claims James Tennyson would stop one Gervonta Davis if the pair fought now.

So impressed was the Ingle Gym graduate with Tennyson’s display against world ranked Canadian Josh O’Reilly on the undercard of Billy Joe Saunders and Martin Murray’s world title fight, that he began to wax lyrical about ‘The Assassin’s’ power post the win.

The power punching lightweight stopped O’Reilly within a round, prompting an excited Nelson to say : “With that punch power, I think – it might not go down too well – I think he’ll beat Gervonta Davis now.

“Listen, give the boy a chance. I’m telling you now, put him in with Davis.”

The comments raised eyebrows, sparked criticism and even prompted laughter in some quarters.

Such was the reaction, Nelson has been asked about the comments in the bubble ahead of Anthony Joshua versus Kubrat Pulev this weekend.

Speaking to IFL TV he rowed back somewhat stating: “After a few days of reflection, maybe I should have said If Tennyson hit’s GD he knocks him out with that kind of power. That’s what I should have said.”

However, speaking on Sky Sports Toe to Toe Podcast the former world cruiserweight champion was less apologetic. The pundit did caveat the claim by saying the Belfast lightweight would have to land clean on the American, but he remains adamant Tennyson could upset ‘Tank’ right now.

“I tell you now if Tennyson lands that kind of power on Davis he takes him out. You might have fighters who haven’t got that strength at world level, but he has the power to do that.”