MIAMI — Gervonta “Tank” Davis is once again facing serious legal trouble and this time, the allegations come just two weeks before his highly publicized exhibition bout with Jake Paul on November 14 at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
According to a civil lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade County and obtained by ESPN. Davis has been accused by ex-girlfriend Courtney Rossel of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The complaint details a series of violent incidents that allegedly culminated in a physical attack earlier this week.
The Alleged Incident
Rossel, who reportedly worked as a VIP cocktail server at Tootsies. A well-known Miami gentlemen’s club. Claims that Davis entered the establishment in the early hours of Monday and assaulted her in a back room without cameras.
According to the lawsuit Davis then dragged her through a stairwell, kitchen, and into the parking garage. Where he allegedly continued the attack. The filing also notes that Rossel and Davis had been in a five-month relationship and that this was not an isolated incident.
Rossel’s attorneys claim there were “at least four” previous occasions in which Davis physically assaulted and choked her, including two incidents where he threatened to kill her.
One alleged threat occurred on September 2. When Davis reportedly became enraged after Rossel didn’t respond to his calls or texts. Another took place on September 23, when she says Davis accused her of cheating, texted her “I’ll kill you,” and later choked her in public at Playa Miami, a restaurant on Lincoln Road.
The most recent alleged assault prompted Rossel to file a police report with the Miami Gardens Police Department, confirmed to ESPN by her attorney, Jeffery Chukwuma.
After the latest encounter, the lawsuit states Davis texted Rossel saying, “I’m on my way! To ya house,” which she interpreted as a threat to continue the assault.
Rossel now claims to suffer from PTSD, anxiety, and severe emotional distress, and says she has moved in with others because she no longer feels safe living alone. Her legal team is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and has requested a jury trial.
Davis’ Legal History
The lawsuit adds to Davis’ growing list of legal troubles. The WBA lightweight champion has faced several charges over the years. Including domestic violence and fleeing the scene of a car accident.
While many of his cases have been dropped, Davis was sentenced to 90 days of house arrest and three years of probation in 2023 after pleading guilty in a Baltimore hit-and-run case that left multiple people injured.
Just two months ago, a previous domestic violence case involving another ex-girlfriend the mother of two of Davis’ three children was dropped.
Fight Status Uncertain
Neither Davis’ representatives nor Most Valuable Promotions. The company promoting his exhibition against Jake Paul, have commented on whether this latest lawsuit will affect the fight’s status.
The event is set to stream live on Netflix. Part of the platform’s continued push into combat sports following blockbuster events featuring Terence Crawford, Canelo Álvarez, and Mike Tyson.
With the fight just days away, Davis who has long walked a fine line between superstardom and controversy now finds himself facing one of the most serious accusations of his career, both legally and reputationally.
As of Thursday evening, no criminal charges have been filed. Though the civil case remains active in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
