Podcast: Interview with Ryan Garcia ahead of Tank Davis showdown
Plus: Previewing Joyce-Zhilei & Mayer-Linardatou; 'Bam' surgery; Shields-Gabriels II; Zayas on Puerto Rican parade eve; Jake Paul-Nate Diaz; Hagler-Hearns anniversary
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There is only one significant card on Saturday: Joe Joyce defending the WBO interim heavyweight belt against Zhang Zhilei with Mikaela Mayer moving up to lightweight to take on Christina Linardatou in the co-feature. We previewed and discussed both bouts. Then there is my extended interview with Ryan Garcia ahead of his huge pay-per-view fight against Gervonta Davis next week. We also discussed notable news of the week and reflected on the anniversary of one of the greatest fights of all time: Marvin Hagler-Thomas Hearns.
Here is what’s on the show (in order):
Previewing Joyce-Zhilei and what to expect when these two big men rumble and Mayer-Linardatou, a fight between two of the top females in and around the lightweight division.
My interview with Garcia. We discussed many topics: why he specifically wanted to fight Davis; the difficulties making the fight; agreeing on the 136-pound catch weight and a rehydration clause; having a huge fight that is not a world title fight and are titles important to him; the significance of his left hook and Davis’ ability as a counter puncher; getting comfortable with trainer Joe Goossen as they head into their third fight together; his desire to win by KO and also to earn respect from the many view him only as a social media pretty boy.
An update on new WBO flyweight titleholder Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, who had surgery this week on his broken jaw.
The announcement that undisputed women’s middleweight champion Claressa Shields will defend the title in a rematch with four-division titleholder Hanna Gabriels on June 3 (DAZN).
Puerto Rican junior middleweight prospect Xander Zayas being added as the co-feature of the Josh Taylor-Teofimo Lopez fight against Ronald Cruz on the eve of the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York.
The announcement that Jake Paul will return from his loss to Tommy Fury to take on longtime UFC star Nate Diaz on Aug. 5 on DAZN PPV
Memories on the 38th anniversary of the all-time epic three-round middleweight championship shootout between Hagler and Hearns.
Listen, rate, review, subscribe and enjoy!
Ryan Garcia photo: Esther Lin/Showtime
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It would be nice if Tank-Garcia was even similar to Hagler-Hearns but in truth i'm expecting a tactical boxing match more than a straight out shoot out style of fight. I'm looking forward to it. Also hoping Loma can continue pushing the clock back and his skills can continue but to beat larger men. Loma is used to being the smaller man and usually looks like a featherweight fighting lightweights but alongside Haney it looks like a featherweight taking on a welterweight, Haney is ridiculously bigger than the Ukrainian, even when he's alongside welterweight Terrance Crawford he looks bigger.
I agree both will be wary of each other's Power, Mmm KingRy doesn't know how to Take a Backwards step so a Fight should break out eventually