Boxing is littered with super fights that never came to be. The culprit is often that mandatory defense or tune up fight that occurs before giving fans the fight they really want. When Gervonta “Tank” Davis scheduled a bout with Hector Luis Garcia to defend his WBA crown, one could not help but conjure up such concerns. Why? Because what fans really want is for Gervonta Davis to fight Ryan Garcia. A fight tentatively scheduled for April 2023.
Fear not, with a 9th Round TKO over Hector Luis Garcia, Davis has held up his end of the bargain. Davis and Garcia faced off last night in front of a packed Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C. Garcia, however, is no slouch. A champion in his own right, and previously unbeaten. He even represented his native Dominican Republic at the 2016 Olympics. So has a credible amateur and professional resume. Credentials on display in the early rounds. From Rounds One to Three he had success behind a strong jab and use of his length. Frustrating the shorter, slower starting Gervonta Davis. But the action picked up considerably in Round 4. Both fighters staying in the pocket and trading big shots at close range.
In Round 8 Davis began walking Garcia down with big left hands nearly knocking Garcia down before the end of the round. Before the start of Round 9, Garcia had clearly had enough and rather than go out for more action, threw in the towel, giving Davis the TKO victory to retain his WBA lightweight title.
Of the stoppage, Davis said, “I was a little surprised but when I caught him, I knew that he was hurt and that he was hurt bad,” Davis said. “He’s a fighter and I know he didn’t want to show it but he was hurt.”
At the time of the stoppage Davis was easily ahead on all score cards 78-73, 78-73 and 78-74.
Next up? That long awaited showdown with Ryan Garcia. Until then, check out the highlights of last night’s action here.