Random thoughts: the Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia edition
Ryan didn't quit; post-fight class; 5 future foes Tank should face; what was with weird rd 2 scoring?; new face of boxing?; get out of here with that 'fight to save boxing' nonsense; MUCH more
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The long-awaited showdown between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Ryan Garcia was a huge event, the biggest of the year in boxing and it will take something extra special to surpass it.
With the event now in the rearview mirror — and having re-watched the fight on the Showtime replay Saturday night and the excellent “All Access” epilogue episode — here are some thoughts on the event:
Davis and Garcia brought different fan bases to the fight, including diehard fight fans and casuals alike, and surely many from their massive social media followings. The proof is in the 1.2 million pay-per-view buys (north of $100 million in gross revenue) and the $22.8 million gate at T-Mobile Arena (good for fifth all-time in Nevada history). Both figures are as big as there have been in the United States in several years and even if Errol Spence Jr.-Terence Crawford finally is made I don’t think it will surpass those numbers.
Let’s get this out of the way — no Garcia did not quit. He took a clean left hand to the chin from Davis in the second round and got up from a shot that would have stopped many. He didn’t quit then and he didn’t quit on the KO punch either. The KO shot to the ribs (not the liver as many have inaccurately said) was legit. Garcia had been hurt to the ribs during training camp and was already tender in the area. Before you dump on the kid talk to as many fighters as I have, who will tell you they would much rather take a clean head shot than a body shot. Better yet, you take a perfectly placed shot to the ribs (from a great puncher no less!) and let me know if you could continue. And credit to Davis. He’s a superb and accurate puncher and he finds a way to land solid punches no matter where he is throwing them. Many predicted a Davis knockout win. Few were calling for the body shot.
Did anyone care that the fight was not for a world title? The numbers say absolutely not.
