Ryan Garcia described as “surreal” the fact that he is headlining in Las Vegas in one of the fights of the year.
Regardless of what follows Saturday’s fight between Garcia and Gervonta Davis – and hope persists that Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk and Errol Spence-Terence Crawford will also be made – Davis-Garcia will be remain one of 2023's highest-profile fights.
Both fighters have also been groomed for greatness, and having remained undefeated while showing significant promise will recognise that Saturday’s date at the T-Mobile Arena could prove their defining fight.
Garcia’s trainer Joe Goossen has also already spoken of his confidence at his fighter’s prospects, and regardless of the scale of the occasion being unlike any other he has known the 24 year old also insists he has “peace of mind”.
“The first day [of fight week] was such an odd day,” said Garcia. “It felt so surreal. I had such peace around me. The Lord carried me through that first day. It was beautiful, and today I’m doing the same thing. Life is good right now.
“Sometimes peace of mind is something you can’t explain. That’s what I walk with every day, and I’m going to stay true to it. That’s what in my heart. That’s what’s true – that’s how I do it, and the fact that I’ve been boxing my whole life, that’s why I stay calm. I’m ferocious when I need to be.
“I’ve been fighting since I was seven years old. It’s not something I’m not used to. I’ve fought some of the best fighters, and for the most part I’ve come out on top. This is nothing different. I’m just being me, and being me brought me here, so that’s what I’m going to continue to do – keep pressing forward no matter what’s thrown at me, no matter what’s trying to take me down. I choose moving forward, choosing a fight, and coming out on top, no matter what.”
The 28-year-old Davis is the most accomplished and heavy-handed opponent Garcia will have faced, but he added: “I have that dog in me. I have that in my heart. I know who I am and that I’m a fighter. When I get put down I get back up and I keep fighting.”