Gervonta Davis, the acclaimed boxer from Baltimore, has recently embraced Islam and changed his name to Abdul Wahid, which means “the servant of the one.”
The conversion took place at Masjid Al-Hidaayah in Woodlawn, Maryland, where Davis performed the shahada, the Islamic testimony of faith.
Breaking News: Gervonta Davis @gervontaa chose the Muslim name Abdul Wahid (the slave of The One) today at Masjid Hidayah with Imam Hassan Somali and Raha Batts. May Allah preserve them all pic.twitter.com/VUmpUwRO6g
— Mutah Beale مطاع بيل (@MutahNapoleon) December 28, 2023
Boxer Gervonta Davis converts to Islam, warmly welcomed by the Islamic community, with a 29-0 record and plans for future title defenses.
As the newly promoted WBA lightweight champion, Davis is expected to defend his title in 2024.
While his future opponents remain uncertain, there are rumors of a rematch with Garcia or potential bouts against Haney or Shakur Stevenson.
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Davis joins the ranks of other notable boxers who have converted to Islam, including Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. Ali’s name change was a focal point in his famous bout with Ernest Terrell.
Another famous Muslim boxer, Tyson, converted to Islam before his prison stint in 1992, although he never formally adopted a Muslim name. Rumors circulated that he had considered Malik Abdul Aziz as his name.