Or maybe clever? Look at McGregor's comment above? Accepting the clause clouds the issue and could create the opportunity to run this again down the line, at which point everyone makes more money?
I don't think it was the rehydration clause that lost him the fight. Tank was just better. And despite what I' was hearing pre-fight, Tank was faster. A fight at 140 might be a bit more interesting, and might go a bit longer, maybe even 12. But I think we have the same winner if they fight again. For that reason, and for Tank's legacy, he should not have asked for the rehydration clause. He didn't need it. No more than Pac needed the two pound catchweight agains Cotto. But , IMO, Tank's legacy won't rest on his win over Garcia. I think if he stays focused and disciplined, he has bigger wins coming.
I think Hector Luis was boxing pretty well the first time, and he kinda got thrown off by the stoppage in action in round eight. Tank was probably going to land something big at some point, but I felt like the Dominican might have been screwed a little by that when he was having a bit of success. Still, I have a feeling that Tank once manages to land something game changing in a rematch and forces another stoppage when El Androide tries to engage.
If Tank is so good and can beat him without rehydration clause or catch weight, why even have that in the contract and not just fight at 140 with no rehydration clause in the first place?
I’d like to see Ryan move up To test 140lbs against a Mario Barrios type. While Tank claims the undisputed lightweight winner Loma or Haney. If Ryan does well at 140lb getting acclimated to the division let him take on Teofimo , Progaris & Taylor. If he can rise like a phoenix from the ashes claim a world title or more at 150lb then & only Then would a rematch vs Tank make sense at 140lbs.
Ryan is an incomplete fighter to beat a guy like Tank. Unless his power / speed are that much above the top level, he needs to step up his game fundamentally. Not to mention the questionable heart/grit as when things got tough it looked like he found for a way out instead of going out on his shield like most other legit fighters would have done. My .2 regarding the rehydration clause: It is/was weak no matter which way you paint it. Reminiscent of a Floyd Mayweather move. If you want to prove a point, and prove you are levels above this cat, you can do it without the clause! And based on what I saw, Tank could have beat Garcia without the clause.
Garcia had Tank hurt badly in the second. If he had a touch more power and a touch more punch resistance maybe it could be different.