When Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Ryan Garcia announced in November that they had come to terms for a much-anticipated showdown being deliberate for April 15 in Las Vegas, boxing followers rejoiced.
However whereas two of the largest stars within the sport had agreed to the Showtime PPV combat — a nontitle bout at 136 kilos — it got here with this caveat: Each fighters must first win interim bouts and are available away unhurt.
Davis’ bout is about. He’ll defend the WBA “common” light-weight title for the fourth time when he faces WBA junior light-weight titlist Hector Luis Garcia, who’s transferring up one division (and no relation to Ryan), on Saturday (9 p.m. ET, Showtime PPV, PPV.com, $74.99), at Capital One Area in Washington, D.C. The pay-per-view can be accessible on all main cable, telco and satellite tv for pc suppliers in america and Canada.
Plans had been within the works for Ryan Garcia to have his interim bout in opposition to Mercito Gesta on Jan. 28, however about three weeks in the past, Garcia announced that he would forego the interim bout and was content material to attend for Davis within the spring.
Davis was essential of his choice to skip the interim bout and look ahead to him.
“I feel Ryan Garcia’s being lazy not taking a combat earlier than our combat,” Davis mentioned. “I don’t know. When he was developing, he was within the gymnasium and every little thing and now he’s obtained some cash and a bit of little bit of fame and he’s partying and stuff like that. It occurs to nearly all of us, but it surely’s as much as him to tighten up earlier than it’s too late.”
Davis, in his first combat since his latest break up with Mayweather Promotions, mentioned he hopes preventing Ryan Garcia is the primary of many large fights to return.
“I’m hoping that the Ryan Garcia combat will open up doorways for everybody to make extra large fights,” he mentioned. “It additionally reveals that I’m not ducking anyone.”
However earlier than Davis can get to the April combat, he first will tackle an opponent harder that many anticipated in fellow southpaw Hector Luis Garcia. He is aware of a foul evening may price him the mega combat within the spring, however he’s additionally assured that he’ll care for enterprise.
“There’s been lots of speak from different fighters within the division. I’m placing them on discover with this combat and the Ryan combat,” Davis mentioned. “I can’t get to Ryan until I get previous Hector. I’m displaying everybody that I’m one of many elite guys.
“Going right into a combat, any opponent is harmful. He’s coaching laborious and I do know that somebody like (Hector Luis) Garcia isn’t simply somebody stepping in. He’s been coaching for me for a very long time.
“Hector is a sound fighter who’s beat some prime guys. He’s a sturdy man who’s coming to combat. He’s undefeated and he’s an incredible opponent. You may’t sleep on him. If you happen to’re sleeping on him, he would possibly put you to sleep.”
Certainly, Hector Luis Garcia (16-0, 10 KOs), 31, who was a 2016 Olympian for his native Dominican Republic, had a breakout 2022, scoring two upsets, after which he vocally referred to as out Davis.
In February, he took a combat with closely favored Chris Colbert on brief discover and scored a decisive 12-round unanimous decision that knocked Colbert from his place because the WBA necessary challenger. As an alternative, Garcia obtained the title shot and outpointed Roger Gutierrez on Aug. 20 to take his 130-pound title.
Davis (27-0, 25 KOs), 28, of Baltimore, which is barely about an hour from Washington, has no plans to permit Garcia to rack up a 3rd upset in a row.
“Each combat is a steppingstone towards what I need to do,” Davis mentioned. “I really feel as if this combat with Hector is a crucial piece in all of it. I’ve to placed on an excellent efficiency so that everyone is aware of that that is of their future.”
Calvin Ford, Davis’ career-long coach, mentioned he wished Davis, who has been out of the ring since his Might knockout of Rolando Romero, to combat forward of a Ryan Garcia bout and to face a top quality foe.
“We’re making an attempt to take the toughest fights,” Ford mentioned. “Hector is coming to combat. He’s had two spectacular wins and is an actual world champion. This can be a combat that we requested for.”
Davis additionally requested for the Ryan Garcia combat, so he must win Saturday and ensure he’s accessible for the bout since he’s scheduled to go on trial Feb. 16 in Baltimore on 14 prices associated to an alleged hit-and-run accident within the early morning hours of Nov. 5, 2020 that injured 4 folks.
Saturday’s combat was put in jeopardy when Davis was arrested lower than two weeks in the past for misdemeanor home violence in opposition to the mom of certainly one of his kids and spent the evening in jail close to his Miami coaching camp. However after he was launched on $1,000 bail, the girl backtracked on her story and what she mentioned on a 911 name. Davis’ court docket look within the case has not but been scheduled.
Meantime, Hector Luis Garcia doesn’t have these distractions and plans to make Davis pay for the choice to combat him. He additionally has an concept of what he’d love to do subsequent.
“We’re coming to make this a battle,” he mentioned by way of an interpreter. “Whether or not it’s toe to toe or he needs to maneuver and field, me and my coach are prepared. I need to make my identify on this sport and make it final loads longer after I’m round. I’m taking it one combat at a time, however I’ve large objectives that I’m trying to attain.
“If I beat ‘Tank’, I’d be blissful to go after a combat in opposition to Ryan Garcia. I don’t assume he’s on the identical stage as me and Gervonta.”
