In the high-risk sport of boxing, it's rare to see a fight like the upcoming clash between young stars Ryan Garcia and Gervonta "Tank" Davis. Both men overcame significant obstacles to make the fight happen, showcasing their determination to succeed despite the politics that usually derail such contests. The two are set to face each other on Saturday night in Las Vegas, with the fight being broadcast live on Showtime PPV.
The fight will pit Davis' impressive technical skills and brutal knockout power against Garcia's long reach and lightning-fast hand speed. It's a significant risk for both men to face a bitter rival while still early in their careers, but it could pay off in terms of raising their profiles.
Both Davis and Garcia are already among the most popular fighters in the sport, having built followings through their in-ring performances and social media presences. The combination of these factors is sure to draw a significant amount of attention to the fight, making it one of the most anticipated bouts in the sport.
Before the main event, fans can look forward to an undercard loaded with interesting matchups. The co-main event will see David Morrell, the secondary WBA super middleweight champion, take on late-replacement Yamaguchi Falcao. Morrell is hoping to earn a shot at Canelo Alvarez and the undisputed crown at 168 pounds if he continues to win. Additionally, veteran Gabriel Rosado will face Bektemir Melikuziev in a rematch at super middleweight. Rosado scored one of the biggest upsets of 2021 when he stopped Melikuziev.
The issue of weight has been the most significant sticking point in the negotiations for Saturday's fight. Davis, who is four and a half inches shorter than Garcia, has captured world titles at 126lbs, 130lbs, and 135lbs, but he has only fought once at 140lbs, where Garcia's two most recent fights have taken place. The compromise for Saturday's fight is a catch-weight of 136lbs, one pound above the lightweight division limit.
The contract also includes a same-day weigh-in on Saturday morning with a rehydration clause, preventing either fighter from gaining more than 10lbs from when they weighed in on Friday afternoon. This will likely reduce Garcia's advantage as the naturally bigger, stronger man.
Despite the ongoing discourse over weight stipulations, Garcia remains focused on one thing only: the fight. At Friday's weigh-in, the long-running hostility between the two fighters reached a boiling point as they were physically separated after a heated staredown.
