There is nothing like an old-fashion grudge match. It is what boxing is built on, and whether it is fighting for the same spot or a genuine dislike - but Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Ryan Garcia will not be the best of friends anytime soon. The two who will do battle on April 22nd, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, live on Showtime Pay-Per-View, have promoted the fight as much as the promoters themselves as their followings seemingly dwarf that of the distribution companies behind them. The two combine for 13.8 million followers on the popular social media platform Instagram alone, not counting various other platforms they have or outlets that extensively cover their content.
For Davis, twenty-eight years old, and Garcia, twenty-four years old, this is the battle for not just bragging rights, but also who is the most culturally relevant fighter under the age of thirty right now. As the bout is contested at 136-lbs catchweight, with no titles on the line (or at least that I am aware of), this fight is more so about who will be the highest-paid fighter in the sport moving forward. Once Canelo Alvarez and Anthony Joshua leave the sport, more than likely the winner of this bout will fill that void as the one to carry the sport forward, for better or worse. One thing is clear - Davis is not a fan of the pre-fight motivational speaking and trash-talk of Ryan Garcia.
Daivs has knocked out twenty-six of his twenty-eight opponents and has yet to lose as a professional. Davis is entering this upcoming bout on a two-fight knockout streak as the very tough and dangerous Isaac Cruz took Davis to a decision ending his seven-year knockout streak which dated back to October of 2014.
“He’s putting on a front for the people. That’s what I see. I see a guy who’s an act. That’s what it is,” said Davis, who seems convinced that when he lands a big punch on Garcia the fight will change. “I feel as though I’m already that top guy in the sport. This fight is just about me getting over the hump.”
Though the fight is the most modern to date in terms of marketing and social appeal, it is also about as old-fashion as possible. Too proud men looking to be better than the other one. Despite believing they are, wherever they go, they hear whispers about the other fighter - so they have chosen to demonstrate who will be the better fighter. Very few exclusive interviews have come out, not much in terms of camp footage and most of the quotes come from a nearly month-old press conference. That said, Davis predicts this fight will not see the final bell, as Davis feels that former world title contender Luke Campbell dropping Ryan Garcia is a foreshadowing of what will happen.
“Didn’t Ryan get caught by Luke Campbell? Do I hit way harder than Luke Campbell? Yes or no,” questioned Davis. “I’ve put a lot of guys to sleep and Ryan is next.”
