FIGHT PICKS: GERVONTA DAVIS VS. RYAN GARCIA
BY ANSON WAINWRIGHT |
Popular lightweights Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia will meet in a 136-pound catchweight contest at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday
The eagerly anticipated showdown will be broadcast live on Showtime/DAZN Pay-Per-View for $84.99 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT and in Canada, Germany, Italy and New Zealand on Fite.tv.
Davis, The Ring’s No. 2-rated lightweight, dominated his opposition on the way up before impressively ripping the IBF 130-pound title from Jose Pedraza (TKO 7). Since then, his star has risen and he is one of the most popular attractions in America, regularly selling out arenas across the country and performing on Showtime Pay-Per-View.
The 28-year-old power-punching southpaw owns a highlight-reel knockout over Leo Santa Cruz (KO 6) and showed that his vaunted power carries up in weight by coming on strong to stop the much larger Mario Barrios (TKO 11) at 140 pounds. “Tank” also won when not at his best against Isaac Cruz (UD 12), took care of Rolando Romero (TKO 6) and, most recently, WBA 130-pound titlist Hector Luis Garcia (TKO 9).
Garcia, The Ring’s No. 3-rated lightweight, is every bit the new-age fighter; he’s a social media phenom, with millions of followers (9.5 million on Instagram). But there were question marks as to whether Garcia’s boxing achievements would live up to his outside-the-ring persona. He has since allayed some of the doubts by showcasing his vaunted power against Romero Duno (KO 1), Francisco Fonseca (KO 1) and two-time title challenger Luke Campbell (TKO 7).
The 24-year-old didn’t fight for 15 months due to mental health concerns but knocked off the ring rust when he dominated Emmanuel Tagoe (UD 12) and, in his most recent outing, “King Ry” looked very impressive knocking out wily campaigner Javier Fortuna (KO 6).
Both men enter the contest unbeaten and supremely confident. However, both know that one mistake could be fatal. Who will keep his composure better on such a big night? Davis (28-0, 26 knockouts) has by far the better resume and is used to dealing with bigger men, but how will that play out against the much faster Garcia? Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) is very flashy, but can he gut it out if things get tough? Will Davis be distracted by outside the ring issues stemming from a recent domestic abuse case against him? Davis fought in January, while Garcia balked at a similar opportunity; will he have any ring rust from his time off? The rehydration clause favors Davis — will it play a part in depleting Garcia’s energy later in the fight?
Online gambling group William Hill lists Davis as a 4/11 (-275) favorite, while Garcia is priced at 2/1 (+200). The draw is 16/1 (+1600).
Here’s how the experts see it:
DOUG FISCHER: DAVIS TKO
“I think it will be a low-volume boxing match, at least during long stretches over the first half of the bout, due to the respect the lightweights have for each other’s power. Both will look to set traps and clip the other with their vaunted left hands, which could make the crowd antsy at times, but the matchup will inevitably produce explosive exchanges that will add the intensity and thrills that fans tuned in for. I think Davis will take his time in the early rounds and likely get outpointed by Garcia, who will fire off fast, long-range jabs and straight rights. If Davis gets even grazed by one of Garcia’s hooks, I expect him to grab and hold on until his head clears. Once in the middle rounds, Davis will begin to punch with more authority and rattle the confidence of the younger, lesser-experienced fighter. I think Joe Goossen will help Garcia keep it together in-between rounds, but Davis’ punch variety (especially with the left landing to the chest and head) will gradually take the influencer’s legs and produce knockdowns that prompt either the Garcia corner or the referee to wave the bout off. Davis late TKO.”
ANSON WAINWRIGHT: DAVIS TKO 9
“This is a new age fight between two very popular fighters. I think the promotional build-up has been fun. However, inside the ring, I feel one was born to do this and the other has worked hard to become what he is. God-gifted usually wins out, and I see no difference here. Davis will take a look at Garcia early on and then close the distance and start to land his own shots. Garcia has never been in with anyone like Davis, and that will show. I think Davis will break down Garcia and stop him in around nine rounds.”
LEE GROVES: DAVIS KO 10
“The contrasts between the two will make this a fascinating fight, and if Garcia is to win, he will need to inflict significant damage sometime during the first three rounds when Davis is in study hall mode, because 14 of his 19 knockouts have occurred in the first two rounds. But in order to fully exploit Davis’ slow start, Garcia must generate sufficient work rate, and his statistical history suggests he fights at a modest pace. Also, while Garcia will enjoy considerable height and reach advantages, he is not a long-range, points-oriented boxer by nature; he is a predatory puncher who happens to have long levers. Meanwhile, once Davis identifies his proper range and starts to let his hands go, he connects with incredible precision and power. The guess is that Garcia may win the early rounds, but his fate will be sealed once Davis downloads, then unloads.”
DIEGO MORILLO: GARCIA KO 6
“It may appear as a brutal departure from the idea that Davis is the most experienced and battle-hardened of the pair (and he certainly is), but I am seriously inclined to go with the shocker here. Garcia wants this fight, badly, and for a reason. He knows he needs a signature win to put his career on track to superstardom, and if his GPS-laser-guided left hook finds a way to crash on Davis’ most vulnerable spots, he will be in position to score his first career-defining win with a bang. Not betting my rent money on this, but I still expect Garcia to turn all that pent-up anger and frustration into a memorable performance.”
MARTY MULCAHEY: GARCIA PTS
“It is great to see these guys finally meet in the ring after barking at each other on social media for two years. It could be that Gervonta Davis waited a year too long, allowing Ryan Garcia to mature physically and in terms of boxing experience. In a relatively even matchup I fall back to one of my most basic theories on boxing: speed over power. I think Garcia is the faster of the duo with his hands or fists, and given Tank’s inability to track down foes until four or five rounds have passed, it could cost him on the scorecards. The other big question is if Garcia can stand up to Davis’ vaunted power. I believe he can, partially because Garcia is the bigger man (5 inches taller, 3-inch reach advantage) and partially because I think Garcia will see Davis’ punches coming. Garcia will have to survive an onslaught in the championship rounds, but I think a final tally in the area of 7 rounds to 5 in favor of Garcia will be the outcome.”
NORM FRAUENHEIM: DAVIS TKO 9
“Ryan Garcia promises a nap. Tank Davis promises violence. Pick violence. Tank simply has more ways to deliver what he promises than Garcia, who might add a few more tricks to his left hook. Davis has dismissed Garcia as one-dimensional. But that was before the Joe Goossen dimension arrived in Garcia’s corner. Goossen and Garcia have been together for two fights since Garcia left Eddy Reynoso. They’ve learned about each other and perhaps learned enough to add to Garcia’s skill set. He’ll need every new trick he’s practiced in the gym. The complication, however, rests in the contract’s rehydration clause. It threatens to leave Garcia fatigued just when Davis is at his punishing best.”