Ryan Garcia passes on interim fight before Gervonta Davis showdown

Dec 17, 2022

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Junior welterweight star Ryan Garcia has decided to skip a warm-up fight before getting down to the real business against Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

Garcia announced via his social media platforms on Friday night that he will not compete in a January interim fight that has been in the works and will instead wait to enter the ring for a planned April 15 Showtime PPV main event against Gervonta “Tank” Davis in one of boxing’s biggest fights.

“Been thinking about it during the time they were figuring out this fight and I feel the fans and everyone who supports boxing have seen these tune ups already it’s time that we give the fans what they want,” Garcia posted. “Also he requested the tune up not me so let him handle business. LETS GO.

“F*ck the tune up. Bring on Tank. SPARKING HIM OUT IN 2.”

Davis (27-0, 25 KOs), 28, of Baltimore, however, will still go through with his interim bout, which is scheduled to be the fourth defense of his WBA secondary lightweight belt against WBA junior lightweight titlist Hector Luis Garcia on Jan.7 (Showtime PPV) at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

If Davis wins, comes away uninjured and his criminal trial for hit and run charges scheduled for mid-February results in his ability to have a fight, Davis and Garcia have agreed to meet next in a nontitle fight at 136 pounds, one over the lightweight limit, although those contracts are not signed yet.

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Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs), 24, of Los Angeles, who according to Golden Boy Promotions, has been training, decided he wanted the big fight next.

“I refuse to do another tune up,” Garcia wrote in another post. “I’m ready for this moment. In my heart I didn’t want to do that to you guys! We are coming straight for Tank! I apologize to any that wanted to see me in Jan but this fight is everything.”

Golden Boy, Garcia and DAZN were making plans for Garcia to fight on Jan. 21 or Jan. 28 against the San Diego-based Philippines native Mercito Gesta (33-3-3, 17 KOs), 35, a two-time world title challenger, who is a southpaw like Davis. While that fight would have been on DAZN, where Golden Boy has an output deal, the April fight will be produced and distributed by Showtime, Davis’ broadcaster.

Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya said in a video posted on the internet that he was not in favor of Garcia skipping the tune-up fight. Golden Boy president Eric Gomez agreed, telling Fight Freaks Unite, “I wish the newer generation of boxers would understand the importance of fighting often and staying busy,” Gomez said. “Throughout history, the truly great boxers stayed busy during their reign. It kept them sharp and in shape.”

The day after details of Davis’ interim bout were announced last month, Garcia posted to his social media that he planned to take his own interim fight before having a change of heart on Friday.

Garcia photo: Tom Hogan/Golden Boy

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Ryan Garcia passes on interim fight before Gervonta Davis showdown

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