At the start of the year there was genuine optimism that lightweight stars Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia would clash in 2021. Now the bout looks like another of boxing’s fantasy match-ups as the duo’s careers head in opposite directions.
On June 26, Davis will test the waters at 140lbs with an intriguing clash against WBA Regular champion Mario Barrios. Garcia, meanwhile, is taking a break from boxing after dealing with mental health issues that saw a fight with Javier Fortuna fall by the wayside.
Baltimore banger Davis has said talks took place for a bout with Garcia, following their run-ins on social media and Mike Tyson’s Hotboxin’ podcast in January, but that the Californian overvalued himself.
“He’s somebody who thinks he runs something and he don’t run nothing, that’s basically what it was,” Davis (24-0, 23 KOs) told Brian Custer on the Last Stand Podcast.
“He thinks he runs the show and we showed him he doesn’t run nothing, even on his side.”
Davis has since moved on to a bout with Texan Barrios (26-0, 17 KOs) in 10 days’ time at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta and believes he will convince any remaining doubters of his pedigree on fight night.
“It’s going to be a time where they wake up, they woke but they’re not actually saying it but they definitely woke! There’s some haters out there but eventually they’ll have to get on the bandwagon,” added Davis.