Gervonta Boddah Davis vs. Ryan García Quesada

April twenty-second in Las Vegas. WBA lightweight "regular" world title at stake, Davis' fifth defense.

Someone's "oh" has got to go, barring draw or NC. The southpaw champ enters with a 28-0 (26) record against the orthodox challenger's 23-0 (19), and is giving up 4½ inches of height and 2½ of reach.

Press conference getting underway now:

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Davis' legal troubles apparently not getting in the way of "advisors", promoters and networks getting that cheddar. Hooray capitalism!

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I was an early harsh & frequent critic of his, but there isn't a teenage lass in all of Cali that's ever been a bigger Kingry fangirl than me heading into this one.

 

I would expand those advantages on both sides to say:

• Ryan has the reach & height and hand speed, and precision.
• Tank has the experience & boxing IQ and chin, and (slightly, as both hit very hard) power.

My heart says García can outbox him to a decision or slice & dice to a cuts or accumulation stoppage, but a part of me knows that it'll be a tightrope walk until the final bell and that his terrible habit of leaving his jaw thrust out in the air will be an enormous liability if Davis touches him clean with bad intentions.

 

Tank apparently being a diva or playing some mind games; stalled for the better part of an hour (and many in the YouTube comments were asking if he might no-show) but it's been reported they're setting up and just about ready to get behind the mics now.

 

Brian Custer getting things started. He says tix are going on sale Friday, pre-sale tomorrow. He then gasses up Showtime and PBC and introduces the promoter and matchmaker Tom Brown.

 

TGB says "unlike Luke Campbell, if Tank Davis puts you on your ass you're not getting up".

Next up is Bernard Hopkins.

 

B-Hop, in a turtle green turtleneck and big tan fedora, says this is the biggest event of the year and that both combatants are destined to join him in the IBHOF someday.

He then says this is the sort of fight that can "hook" casuals and make them lifelong fans, and he implores people to spread word-of-mouth about it.

 

Davis just sauntered onto the podium, fashionably late.

DLH speaking next.

 

DLH only talking at ~60% of his max (cocaine) speed.

Nothing of substance, complimentary of both fighters, hyping it up.

 

Stephen Espinoza says this is just one cornerstone of their ambitious 2023 schedule, indirectly contradicting what Bernard said about it being the centerpiece.

He talks up Davis' accomplishments, citing PPV appearances, live gates, and championships & defenses. He then counter argues on García's behalf, saying he's on a streak of 6 kayos and is a scintillating watch.

He says there are valid criticisms of both fighters, but they both have quality amateur pedigrees and belong at the very top. He says this is the "right fight at the right time, and could transcend boxing".

He says there will be an All Access and mentions how that program has won an Emmy, episode one premiering on April first.

He then weirdly starts quoting JFK ("failure is an orphan"). He says Ryan and Gervonta deserve the lion's share of credit for this fight taking place as they both negotiated in good faith to deliver what the fans want.