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Gervonta Davis Knocks Down And Stops Ryan Garcia In Dominant Performance

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 23rd April 2023.

Gervonta Davis knocks down Ryan Garcia

Gervonta Davis knocked down Ryan Garcia early on the way to a seventh round body shot stoppage in a fight that was branded the biggest of the year.

The stars were out in Sin City to witness the two men face off in their prime with undefeated records in tact – sadly a rare sight in the sport, but perhaps a catalyst for things to come.

Garcia entered the ring with an 82.6% knockout rate to ‘Tank’s 92.9%, weighing half a pound more than the favourite and with a reach advantage of a few inches. The twelve-round contest was set at a catchweight of 136lb with a 10lb rehydration clause today.

‘Tank’ was flanked in the ring by his on-again-off-again mentor, Floyd Mayweather – a confusing relationship but a fitting presence.

As predicted, Garcia started the more keen, Davis content to move and analyse from his southpaw stance. It was cautious – and for good reason. No matter how confident the fighters were during the week, the magnitude was magnificent.

Garcia opened up in the second and showed his speed, refusing to let Davis clinch without making him pay. ‘Tank’ was keen to try, though, lunging in and making it ugly. If analysts felt Garcia should’ve been more careful, it was advice ignored. Davis countered as Davis does – a beautiful short left hook thrown from his boots – and Garcia was down. He was up quickly but he didn’t rush in. Lesson learned, his team would hope.

Round three and Garcia seemed to be falling into the trap that so many of ‘Tank’s dance partners have, walking him down and closing the distance almost mechanically. The man from Baltimore had his range down to the millimetre and the pull-counter was in play.

The fourth started as a battle of the body shots. ‘Tank’ got busier, which gave Garcia the chance to counter, but if he was tentative who could blame him? He was falling for the feints, and wasn’t throwing the jab often enough in the fifth – it took his height advantage out of play.

Garcia landed a lovely right hook to start the sixth – his best of the fight – and it led to the pair trading a bit rather than waiting for their opportunities. A much better round for the underdog, which he needed at this stage.

It continued to start the seventh, with ‘Tank’ backed into the corner and a couple landed for Garcia. Once again though, his activity was his downfall. Davis threw a left hand that needed a replay to see exactly where it had landed. Garcia took a knee and didn’t make the count. There was blood from his nose, but it was a body shot that did it.

‘Tank’ Davis, TKO, round 7 – as he promised. Some might question Garcia’s will in getting up. The pair showed love after the bell, of course.

It was a fight that Garcia unequivocally wanted. For a man whose mentality has been questioned by fans in the past, he said yes to things many wouldn’t and should be commended for it. ‘Tank’ was superior though – some will say by a long way – and he propels himself to superstardom.

Asked if he was the face of boxing, he said ‘abso-f***ing-lutely.’