Ryan Garcia has taken to social media to issue a bold challenge to Gervonta Davis, expressing his fervent desire for a rematch with the boxing sensation. It was in April of the preceding year when ‘Tank’ Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) delivered a devastating knockout blow to Ryan Garcia in the sixth round, a fight that resonated as one of the most significant bouts of that year.
In the aftermath of that colossal showdown, Ryan Garcia’s purse swelled to a staggering $30 million, generating an astonishing $100 million in total revenue. Given the monumental stakes involved and the lingering specter of that momentous defeat, it comes as no surprise that the 25-year-old Garcia is yearning for redemption in a second encounter with Davis. Yet, whether the PBC-managed Baltimore native will acquiesce to this call remains uncertain.
Before Ryan can set his sights on a rematch, he faces a formidable hurdle in the form of a tune-up fight scheduled for December 2nd against Oscar Duarte. This contest must be successfully navigated before any negotiations with Davis for another colossal showdown can commence.
However, some critics argue that it may be premature for Ryan Garcia to entertain thoughts of a rematch with Tank Davis. The impending fight against Duarte looms as a dangerous and pivotal challenge for the young pugilist. Duarte, who lacks the social media notoriety and millionaire status of Ryan, is poised to approach this bout with the intensity and fervor reminiscent of a World Cup final. He will relentlessly pursue Ryan, aiming to secure a knockout with each well-aimed strike. It’s worth noting that Ryan’s susceptibility to body shots has been exposed before, and this is precisely an area in which Duarte excels.
Oscar De La Hoya, Ryan’s promoter, acknowledges the possibility of a Davis-Garcia rematch but underscores that it would necessitate a change in weight class, moving up to the 140-pound division. De La Hoya, however, hopes that Tank and his team will not employ weight-related stipulations as they did in their previous bout, a move he characterizes as a disreputable tactic aimed at securing an unfair advantage.
“It’s possible at 140,” remarked Oscar De La Hoya in an interview with ESNEWS when queried about the prospect of Ryan Garcia facing Gervonta Davis once more, with Super Bowl weekend on February 10th being an enticing potential date.
For Ryan Garcia, there are alternative paths beyond a rematch with Tank. De La Hoya expresses keen interest in matching him against Teofimo Lopez, the reigning WBO 140-pound champion, on that same February 10th date. Additionally, Ryan may choose to vie against the victor of the impending clash between Devin Haney and Regis Prograis, vying for the coveted WBC title. Whichever direction he elects to go, it is apparent that significant financial rewards await the young champion.
The path forward remains uncertain for Ryan Garcia, as De La Hoya grapples with the question of what would be the most prudent course for his protégé. A rematch with Gervonta Davis, while lucrative, carries the specter of another knockout loss. Yet, in whichever direction he turns, the concern over Ryan’s limited punch resistance looms large, rendering him susceptible to the formidable power of both Teofimo Lopez and Regis Prograis, ensuring that the road ahead remains fraught with challenges.
