For all that there is already an unmistakeable buzz around the MGM Grand for Saturday’s fight, at the T-Mobile Arena, that buzz is at risk of being surpassed by the sense of satisfaction emanating from so many of those involved.
Gervonta Davis’ characteristically late arrival – he was scheduled to arrive at the lobby of the MGM at 3.30pm; it took him until considerably after 4pm – had regardless contributed. With Showtime therefore having valuable airtime to fill, they took to interviewing, among others, Leonard Ellerbe, and even acknowledging the presence of the “legendary Kelly Swanson”, a both likeable and very competent public relations professional who, refreshingly, appeared to have little interest in the attention being sent her way.
Having spent five minutes selling Davis-Ryan Garcia as The Biggest Fight Ever, as though for dates involving Floyd Mayweather he’d not already repeatedly done the same, Ellerbe – dressed like he was auditioning for a role in Miami Vice, such were the sunglasses he was wearing indoors to complement a baby blue jacket and trousers and white shirt and shoes – then said, “When Ryan gets knocked out on Saturday night…”.
When he did so he was interrupted by his interviewer excitedly responding, “You’re going there?”. “When Tank knocks him out Saturday night,” Ellerbe continued, “it automatically elevates him – he’s going to become the face of boxing. Line these guys up, and he’s going to go and do what he’s going to do. This is just the first step of being the best.”
For all that Davis is the favourite for Saturday’s fight, ProBox TV was unaware his victory is a formality. That they were supposed to be so evenly-matched was, it had at least previously felt around the MGM, largely its appeal.
In the same way Ellerbe would routinely introduce Mayweather by starting, “a man that needs no introduction”, he then concluded, without looking or sounding in any way ecstatic yet no doubt with dollar signs behind his sunglasses, at the prospect of a Davis victory: “I’m just, ecstatic.”
Garcia, interestingly, showed hints of uncertainty for the occasion of his grand arrival. Wearing a tracksuit that proudly exposed his chest, and perhaps more relevantly a large golden crucifix, the way he was so ready to bounce on his toes, clasping his hands together and nodding his head as he spoke betrayed adrenaline, or nervous energy, or perhaps even both.
It regardless cannot be overlooked that he has previously spoken of battling anxiety. It also cannot be overlooked that he is a fighter, and therefore that there is little reason he should not feel as uncomfortable as anyone else if stood on a stage speaking in front of a large audience – nor instead feel considerably more at ease in the ring.
When Davis later arrived in his shorts, hat and trainers he not only looked like he was dressed for a holiday, his relaxed demeanour meant that he could have convinced someone he had spent the previous week by the pool outside the MGM. There was nothing forced about his smile and the confidence with which he carried himself – there stood a fighter convinced he is days away from winning his biggest fight.
If Garcia had hoped Davis was distracted or apprehensive about the fact that on May 5 he is being sentenced to four counts stemming from a hit-and-run in November 2020 he will almost certainly have been discouraged. Garcia, regardless, was flanked by someone capable of putting into perspective the significance of Saturday night.
AJ Latiner, a 12-year-old fan of Garcia who is undergoing chemotherapy to battle leukaemia, joined him on stage, was given a warm reception, and then asked for his thoughts about how Davis-Garcia will unfold.
“I mean this was crazy, though,” he responded with heartening enthusiasm, maturity and confidence.
“This was like one of the biggest things I could ever do. I ain’t gonna say too much crazy stuff but I just hope Tank’s ready. [Garcia’s] coming.”
