In a highly anticipated boxing match, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis secured a thrilling victory over Ryan Garcia with a brutal body shot in the seventh round. This non-title catchweight fight brought an end to their fierce rivalry and showcased the skills of these two talented fighters. Let’s dive into the details of this unforgettable match.
An Unexpected Knockout
The knockout blow came as a surprise to both the audience and the fighters themselves. Initially, it seemed like Garcia would continue fighting, as he had absorbed numerous punches throughout the night. However, Davis’ power became apparent moments later when Garcia fell to one knee with a bloodied nose, shaking his head as the referee counted down. This was the second time Davis had knocked Garcia down, with a left hook in the second round being the first instance. This time, though, Garcia could not recover, marking a decisive end to this highly anticipated fight.
Davis’ Post-Fight Reaction
Davis expressed his surprise at the match’s conclusion, stating, “I didn’t think that body shot would end it, but I saw his facial expression and that’s what made me take it to him.” He also admitted to playing mind games with Garcia, trying to encourage him to get up, only to see Garcia shake his head in defeat.
A Rivalry Finally Settled
Davis and Garcia, both previously unbeaten fighters with impressive knockout records, have been engaged in a verbal sparring match for years. Their long-awaited confrontation took place at a non-title catchweight fight at 136 pounds in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,842 in Las Vegas. The fight lived up to its hype, despite becoming increasingly one-sided, with Davis winning five out of six rounds on the scorecard before the decisive seventh round.
A Recap of the Fight
The second round saw the match explode into action, with Garcia delivering a barrage of punches before being countered by a well-timed left hook from Davis. This knocked Garcia down for the first time. Garcia managed to land two right-handed blows to Davis’ face in the sixth round, but the game-changing moment came in the seventh round.
Garcia’s Reaction to Defeat
Garcia did not offer any excuses for his loss, admitting, “He just caught me with a good shot and I couldn’t recover.” He further explained that the body shot left him unable to breathe and, despite intending to get back up, he simply could not.
The Aftermath of the Epic Showdown
The match concluded with Davis’ career record advancing to 29-0, including 27 knockouts, while Garcia experienced the first loss of his career, bringing his record to 23-1. This unforgettable showdown between Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Ryan Garcia will be remembered as a testament to the incredible talent and determination of both fighters.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/23/gervonta-davis-ryan-garcia-fight-report-boxing