Boxing Champion Gervonta Davis Arrested in Miami on Battery and Kidnapping Charges
Former three-weight champion Gervonta Davis was taken into custody in Miami on Wednesday, two weeks after an arrest warrant was issued on charges of battery, false imprisonment, and attempted kidnapping, according to the Miami Gardens police department. The arrest warrant was issued on January 14, and Davis was booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, as per jail records.
The Miami Gardens police department, in collaboration with the United States Marshals fugitive task force, conducted a three-county surveillance operation to locate Davis, ultimately taking him into custody without incident in the Miami Design District. The arrest comes after Davis allegedly entered a strip club on October 27 and confronted his ex-girlfriend, who worked as a VIP cocktail server at the club.
According to the police report, Davis took the woman, identified as Courtney Rossel, into a back room and attacked and restrained her. The report states that Davis grabbed Rossel by her hair and throat, telling her, “You think I would not find you,” before taking her to the parking lot of the club, where he eventually released her. Rossel filed a report with the Miami Gardens police and also filed a separate civil complaint against Davis.
Background and Previous Incidents
Davis has a history of legal issues, including domestic violence charges, many of which have been dropped. In 2023, he was sentenced to three years of probation and a 90-day house arrest following a hit-and-run case in Baltimore. It is unclear how his recent arrest in Florida will affect his probation in Maryland.
Davis was training to fight Jake Paul at the Kaseya Center in Miami in October but was pulled from the card after the lawsuit was filed and replaced by Anthony Joshua. His last fight was in March, a draw against Lamont Roach Jr. The woman’s civil case attorneys stated in court that they attempted to serve Davis with the complaint multiple times but were unable to do so.
Investigation and Civil Complaint
The woman’s attorney, Jeff Chukwuma, told ESPN on January 14 that the police investigation aligns with their lawsuit, and the state attorney’s determination coincides with their civil complaint. Chukwuma stated, “What the police said is exactly in line with our lawsuit. So whatever investigation they did, they determined it was enough to get a judge to sign off on an arrest warrant.”
The arrest of Gervonta Davis serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing domestic violence and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. As the case unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor the developments and any potential implications for Davis’ career and personal life.
ESPN’s Andreas Hale contributed to this report, providing valuable insights into the case. For more information on this developing story, please refer to the official statements from the Miami Gardens police department and the court records.
