Shane Mosley believes that Ryan Garcia’s range gives him a narrow advantage when he fights Gervonta Davis.
The undefeated lightweights are scheduled to fight at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on April 22, and are widely considered evenly matched to the point that few consider one or the other the favourite.
Mosley, like Garcia and “Tank” Davis once a heavy-handed and naturally-talented lightweight, captured many observers’ feelings on their fight when he described it as a “50-50” before explaining how both fighters have what is required to stop the other and then finally concluding that Garcia has a subtle edge.
“Tank is more polished and has more ring generalship, strong and hits hard,” the 51-year-old told Fight Hub TV. “If Ryan is too aggressive, he could get caught, but if he’s just aggressive enough, then maybe he could bait him into a left hook. Tank is the same way. Maybe jab and bait the left hook in.
“The problem that Tank runs into is the height of Ryan Garcia and his left hook. They both throw left hands. It’s who is going to land their left hands first. It shouldn’t go the distance.
The 24-year-old Garcia stands at 5ft 10ins and has a reach of 70ins, giving him 4.5ins and 2.5ins advantages in height and reach over Davis, 28.
“Ryan has the advantage because his right hand is closer to Davis, but at the same time, Davis can do the little step back and catch him with a right hand,” Mosley said. “At the same time, Ryan’s left hook is so fast; it’s going to be hard to do that little step back.