Gervonta Davis moved to 28 wins with 26 knockouts in Washington DC, giving Hector Luis Garcia the first loss on his record.
The main event in Washington DC started off slow – a direct contrast to ‘Tank’s pre-fight promise of fireworks from the first bell. His measured approach against the talented and often awkward Garcia showed a maturity different to his fight week persona, and paid off down the stretch.
Garcia landed in round 3 and could make an argument for it on the scorecards, but Davis started to show his class from then on – racking up points and working some good combinations.
The action was stopped in round 8 as a fight in the crowd broke out. When it resumed, ‘Tank’ caught his opponent with some huge left hands, the last of which really wobbled Garcia.
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Davis didn’t have time to finish the job before the bell, but in the end that didn’t matter. Garcia told his cornerman that he ‘couldn’t see’ and took the decision to not return from his stool – official time of stoppage 13 seconds in the 9th round. ‘Tank was up on all three score cards.
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Garcia later told the broadcast that, after taking the shot, he didn’t know where he was, confirming that his decision not to rise for the ninth was the right call.
‘Tank’ – after his trademark backflip from the top rope – explained his measured effort and went on to discuss the pencilled-in Ryan Garcia fight.
“When I caught him, I knew he was hurt bad. He’s a fighter so he didn’t want to show it, but I knew he was hurt.”
“I was trying to beat him mentally, I was trying to trick him with my hands and my eyes. He’s a talented fighter, so I had to bait him in. [Southpaws bother me] a little bit, because I don’t fight them that often, but that’s part of the game.”
“God willing, man. I’m ready for the fight [with Ryan Garcia]. It’s scheduled for April. I’m here. He’s been training, he’s been talking. Let’s see who’s really ‘bout that. I’m ready. I’ll be in the gym.”
All going well, the two undefeated superstars should meet in Las Vegas on April 15.
Elsewhere on the card, highly-rated up and comer, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, went the distance for the first time in his professional career. The welterweight, who’s now angling for a shot at Errol Spence Jr, beat an elusive Karen Chukhadzhian 120-108 on all three scorecards.
Demetrius Andrade returned to action after 14 months for his first contest up at super welterweight. He knocked down Demond Nicholson three times on his way to a unanimous decision victory.