This past Saturday, two of boxing’s fastest rising stars came out for their strength and accuracy Gervonta “Tank” Davis Inconsistent with speed and volume “The King” Ryan Garcia.
In the end, Davis prevailed (29-0, 27 KOs) as the knockout artist knocked Garcia down in the second round before decisively closing it out in the seventh with a devastating body shot to end the night for all at a sold-out T-Mobile. Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Garcia (23-1, 19 KO) was competitive throughout the fight and landed several shots that caught Davis’ attention until he fell into a left hook to the body. The 24-year-old took a knee after a delayed reaction to the blow as blood seeped from his nose and the referee’s. Thomas Taylor Count it to 10 with 1:44 left in the seventh round.
Perhaps the storyline and highlight of the fight was Davis’ strength, but in reality it was the difference in technique, experience and adjustments that led to the finish. Although Garcia had a higher production, it was Davis who landed 48% of his power shots overall.
Despite the heavy trash talk between them, most of which focused on the 10-pound rehydration clause that cost Davis in negotiations, both fighters embraced after the finish, which aligned with Davis’ expectations before the fight by a seventh-round knockout.
Garcia reaffirmed after the bout that he has plans to move up and stay at 140lbs as there are plenty of names to regain momentum such as former undisputed lightweight king Josh Taylor battling former unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, Jose Ramirez and former enemy of Davies, Rolando Romero “Rolly” Who just applied and is looking to challenge for the WBA title.
For Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, his next opponent should come in the form of the winner of the May 20 showdown between the undisputed lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney And Vasily Lomachenkoarguably the two most skilled and elite fighters in the squad.