Undefeated “King” Ryan Garcia showed off his vaunted power and hand speed during a media workout from a ring overlooking the picturesque San Fernando Valley in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, vowing to “destroy” Gervonta “Tank” Davis ahead of their clash on Saturday, April 22 headlining live on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Garcia has headlined fights across Los Angeles, Dallas and San Antonio, with fans packing the rafters to watch his meteoric rise. He now steps into the biggest fight of his career and a rare matchup of unbeaten superstars in the prime of their careers. The 24-year-old looked at home on Tuesday as he hit the pads in the ring assembled in the backyard of a mansion owned by reality TV personality and businesswoman Adrienne Maloof.
Here is what Garcia had to say Tuesday:
Ryan Garcia media workout in Beverly Hills/Photos: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
On what this fight means to him:
“This fight means a lot to me. It means everything. It’s a moment that I’ve been envisioning for so long now. It’s the only thing I’ve wanted for so long, to defeat Gervonta Davis and to destroy him. To end everything that he’s ever worked for, because I know he’s trying to do that for me. I’m going to take him out. He’s done. It’s nap time for Gervonta.
“I’m just going to be focused in the ring, no matter if it’s the first round, second round, third round. Any of the rounds, he can go to sleep. He’s going to have to be careful. That’s what I have to tell him. Be careful. I don’t think he is, and he’s going to walk into one. Or I’m just going to go get him. Either way, I’m going to beat him.”
On fight week:
“I’m excited for fight week and I’m going to be even more excited when I’m there. But right now, my thoughts are just, ‘stay focused and do my best during the media workout.’ When I get there, I’m going to love it. Everybody is going to be there. Everybody wanted this fight so I’m expecting good energy and for everybody to be pumped up. Some people are going to think he’s going to win, some people are going to think I’m going to win. I’m just going to win.”
On Media Workout:
“Nobody really trains at these media workouts, so I just thought to make it as cool and as fun as it can be. I know that I’m going to be training at 7 o’clock tonight, so I might as well make a show out of this. Everybody is getting some good food, I’m going to treat the media well and give them the best answers as I can, and that’s it. Make everybody happy.”
On what this fight means for boxing:
“This is a huge fight for boxing. It can really change the trajectory of the sport and inspire young fighters to get it on right now. People are going to love you. They’re going to see that you went out there and you fought the best and you gave it your all. Even if you win or even if you lose, you showed them what a champion is in life. You just get right back up and you don’t let negative people that won’t even dare to do anything keep you down because you know where you’re going in life. To me, this is important to everybody that it takes courage to go after something that nobody believed you could do. That’s why I’m standing here today. To make everybody realize that if you’re in there and chase your dream like you’ve never chased anything before, and you’ll see something special happen.”
On showing the world his greatness:
“This is a fight to show everybody that I’m great. I’m not daring to be great. I know I’m great. I know when I step in the ring, he’s going to feel something he’s never felt before. I’m going to conquer him. Everything he tries to do I’ll have an answer for him. Gervonta Davis is not going to beat me. I promise you.
“He’s going to nap time. Nap time can be with either the right or the left. It doesn’t matter. I think he’s just terrified of the left hook. Once he hears that in his dreams, he just starts shaking in his boots. That’s a trigger word for him. Left hook. He just gets terrified of that.
“I feel like people have lost touch with what boxing truly is about. People used to realize that you see how a champion reacts after he gets hit. That’s how you determine what a champion is. People have lost touch with that. It used to be a proud moment where you showed that you can still stay focused in the fight. You can still get back to controlling it and you can still knock somebody out after you get dropped. That should have been the testimony of how much of a champion I truly am in my heart.
“But we live in a world where people expect you to be perfect and they don’t understand that this is real life. We’re really fighting here. But you respond by getting up and going and doing your thing. You show everybody that you’re great. You don’t let those things tear you down and you keep moving forward. I have to show people that I’m destined for this.”
Working with trainer joe Goosen:
“This is going to be my third fight with Joe Goossen and having a guy with so much experience and understanding of the game, I just love being around him. He’s a very intelligent man. I love being around a person that you can just talk to about life in different ways and come to better understandings of both life and boxing. It’s great to have a person like that around me.
Davis taking him to “deep waters”:
“Gervonta says he’s going to take me into deep waters. Guess what, I know how to swim. It’s nothing special. He needs to come up with something better than that. Think a little harder.
“I hope Gervonta has been getting good sleep. If not, he’ll get some good sleep April 22.”
Undefeated former world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis held a media workout in Las Vegas Thursday ahead of his long awaited clash against hard-hitting sensation “King” Ryan Garcia taking place Saturday, April 22 headlining live on pay-per-view from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
Davis vs. Garcia is promoted by GTD Promotions, TGB Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and the telecast is produced by SHOWTIME PPV.
Davis will headline a pay-per-view telecast beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT as he faces Garcia in a rare matchup of unbeaten superstars in the primes of their careers. Davis has established himself as one of boxing’s hottest, must-see attractions, selling out arenas in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and most recently, Washington D.C., and with a victory on April 22, can solidify himself as the future face of boxing.
Here is what Davis and his longtime trainer Calvin Ford had to say Thursday from Barry’s Boxing Gym in Las Vegas:
GERVONTA DAVIS
“Make sure you come early and get your popcorn or whatever you want to get, because this is gonna be an early night for sure.
“I’m feeling great. Everything is about staying completely focused on the task, because I know I have a challenge in front of me on April 22.
“Me and coach Calvin have been doing this for so long, he’s a major key to my success over the years. I’d be nowhere without him, so I always keep him close to me.
“Ryan is gonna have to show me that he has more than just a left hook. I’m gonna be on point that night because I’m getting ready for the best Ryan Garcia. I just don’t feel that he’s a complete fighter and come April 22 I’m gonna show him.
“This win would mean a lot. Beating someone young, explosive and in their prime says a lot. I feel like this fight is big for the sport. We’re drawing in a lot of people and a win on that night is really like winning a world title again.
“This is gonna be spectacular. It’s gonna be two young guys who are hungry. You gotta tune in or be here in Las Vegas.
“I think he’s trying to hype himself to get into the fight when he talks about knocking me out in two rounds. I don’t think he really believes that.
“Representing Baltimore means a lot to me. I’m doing it for the people who are just like me. I’m trying to give them hope. No matter what you’ve been going through, the future is bright.”
CALVIN FORD, Davis’ Trainer
“’Tank’ just needs to listen and do what he’s been doing all along. I’ve seen the journey to here a long time ago. That night is his night. We’ll walk through that fire or that desert or whatever we have to walk through.
“I’m still looking for that fighter to bring the best out of ‘Tank’. No one has seen the best out of him yet. Coaches that have been around us for years know that people haven’t seen all that he can do.
“I don’t train ‘Tank’ for knockouts, I train him for punishment. Hector Luis Garcia got a glimpse of it in the last fight. I want him to punish Ryan.
“I wouldn’t say the Mario Barrios fight is the example of how ‘Tank’ fights a taller fighter like Ryan Garcia, because each fighter fights differently. He was able to handle what Barrios wanted to do, but we’ll see if that’s how Ryan wants to fight. Whatever you want to bring, you better come bring it.
“He’s taking pages out from some of the greatest in the sport. We’ve got a lot of different people coaching different parts of his game and everyone is doing their part.”
Three intriguing pay-per-view matchups featuring knockout artists and rising stars will precede three-division world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ 12-round super fight with hard-hitting sensation “King” Ryan Garcia in a SHOWTIME PPV production on Saturday, April 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The pay-per-view telecast will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and features Cuban star and WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. battling Ghana’s Sena Agbeko in the co-main event. The action will also see an eagerly anticipated rematch between super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev in a 10-round showdown. Kicking off the telecast will be hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia facing rugged Kevin Salgado of Mexico in a 10-round showdown.
A Cuban-native who came to Minneapolis to begin his pro career in 2019, Morrell (8-0, 7 KOs) has quickly shown off the talents that made him a standout in Cuba’s storied amateur scene . The 25-year-old captured an interim title by dominating then-unbeaten Lennox Allen in August 2020 in just his third pro fight. Morell, who trains in Texas with renowned coach Ronnie Shields, added two dominant knockout victories in 2022 as he stopped Kalvin Henderson in June before a 12th-round TKO of the previously unbeaten Aidos Yerbossynuly in November.
“I’m very excited to be the co-main event of this incredible night for boxing,” said Morrell. “’Tank’ Davis is one of the sport’s biggest superstars and my aspiration is to one day be on the Mount Rushmore of boxing next to him. On April 22 I’m going to dispatch my opponent in sensational fashion. And after this fight I want the ‘Mexican Monster’ David Benavidez, but first I have to get past a tough and very capable opponent in Agbeko. I intend to take care of my business on April 22 and then look forward to taking on David Benavidez in a fight that the fans want to see.”
Originally from Ghana and now fighting out of Nashville, Tennessee, Agbeko (27-2, 21 KOs) enters this fight having won his last four contests and 12 of his last 13. The 31-year-old won three times in 2022, including most recently earning a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Isaiah Steen last October on SHOBOX: The New Generation®. The only blemish on Agbeko’s record since 2014 is a decision loss in 2021 against top 168-pound contender Vladimir Shishkin.
“I’m very thankful to my entire team for this incredible opportunity to fight for the title,” said Agbeko. “This is a stern test against one of the best super middleweights in the world in the co-main event of the biggest fight of the year. This is an opportunity that I relish greatly and is exactly how I envisioned winning the belt. I’ve had a long journey to get to this point, but I’ve always trained like a guy with a target on my back. I want to win the belt and be the fighter that everyone is going after. I have a great team behind me and I can’t wait to properly introduce myself to the boxing world on April 22.”
Having faced a deep and extensive list of champions and top fighters throughout his career, the always exciting Rosado (26-16, 15 KOs) will look to repeat his 2021 highlight-reel KO against Melikuziev in one of the year’s biggest surprises when they meet on April 22. The Philadelphia native has gone toe-to-toe with current and former champions Jermell Charlo, Gennadiy Golovkin, Peter Quillin, David Lemieux, Joshua Clottey, Daniel Jacobs and Jaime Munguia in a pro career that dates back to 2006.
“It was tough having the fight against ‘Zurdo’ canceled, but now it’s me versus Bek on the biggest fight card of the year,” said Rosado. “I’m focused and ready to put Bek back in check. I look forward to being part of a historical fight card, and I plan on dominating ‘The Bully’ once again!”
The 26-year-old Melikuziev (11-1, 9 KOs) heads into April 22 seeking revenge from his 2021 defeat to Rosado and to extend his winning streak to five. Originally hailing from Uzbekistan and now residing in Indio, California, Melikuziev turned pro in 2019 after an impressive amateur career that included gold medals in the 2015 and 2017 Asian Championships. Melikuziev had knocked out six of his first seven pro opponents before running into Rosado’s right hand.
“This is the fight I wanted and the most important fight for me today,” said Melikuziev. “This is the fight to right the wrong. I am so lucky to make it on the biggest card of the year. I want to thank my team, my promoter, and of course, Rosado, for giving me this opportunity.”
Fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona, Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs) earned a career-best victory in March, blasting out the previously unbeaten Amilcar Vidal in the fourth-round on SHOWTIME® to announce his presence at 160-pounds. The 19-year-old had previously put together a four-win 2022 campaign capped by a second round KO of Cruse Stewart that streamed live on the SHOWTIME SPORTS® YouTube channel and SHOWTIME Boxing® Facebook page. The precocious Garcia has moved fast since turning pro in 2020 and has knocked out six of his last seven opponents.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this major pay-per-view event and I’m excited for the opportunity,” said Garcia. “After my last fight, I’ve been in the gym waiting for the time to showcase my skills yet again. I’m planning on putting on a great performance against Salgado on April 22. The main event is a great fight and ‘Tank’ is a beast, and Ryan is undefeated and talented and will be a tough test. But make sure you don’t miss my fight, because it’s going to be a Mexican war for all of the fans.”
A native of Mexico City, Salgado (15-1-1, 10 KOs) is the younger brother of former super featherweight champion Juan Carlos Salgado and now fights out of San Antonio, Texas. The 25-year-old turned pro in late 2016 and delivered knockouts in six of his first nine outings. After scoring three-straight knockouts between September 2019 and February 2021, Salgado returned to the ring in October 2021 to defeat Ricardo Banuelos Cernas by unanimous decision before fighting Bryant Perrella to a split-draw in his U.S. debut in April. Salgado bounced back from a September 2022 defeat to Joey Spencer by knocking out Gilberto Flores in the first round of their December 2022 clash.
“I know that I’m facing a good opponent, but I’m ready to surprise the boxing world,” said Salgado. “This is a great opportunity for me. I’m grateful to be in this position and I’m coming to take full advantage of it. I’m feeling strong in training camp and I’ll be ready to test Garcia and see where he stacks up.”
Undefeated boxing superstars Gervonta “Tank” Davis and “King” Ryan Garcia went face to face for the first time at a press conference in New York on Wednesday as they previewed their highly anticipated 12-round showdown that headlines a pay-per-view event on Saturday, April 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The telecast is being produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV and will be available across pay-per-view providers including DAZN PPV.
In a rare matchup of unbeaten superstars in the primes of their careers, Davis vs. Garcia is set up to be a crossover event that captures the sporting world’s imagination. With contrasting, colorful personalities and aggressive, dynamic styles in the ring that translate to highlight-reel knockouts, April 22 projects to be the must-see boxing event of the year.
Davis and Garcia squared off for a long and animated face-off at the conclusion of the press conference, offering a glimpse of the intensity on deck for fight night. Here is what they had to say Wednesday from Palladium Times Square:
GERVONTA DAVIS
“We’re back at it. This time we got another dance partner. I know that it’s going to be tough. This fight is definitely going to be tough. But this is what we came to do. We want the big fights.
“I’ve been boxing since I was seven. I fought a lot coming up. I’m just happy to be a part of this moment and share the ring with a young fighter like Ryan Garcia who’s daring himself to be great. He talked his way into this fight. April 22 he’s going to have to show it.
“I’m coming from Baltimore and a lot of people don’t make it from there. I’m just happy to be a part of this event. I couldn’t have done this by myself. I had a great team that got me here.
“We’ve stayed focused and kept our head down and continued to grind. That’s what really matters.
“I think this is important because we’re both young. Both of us are at our peak. A lot of young fighters don’t fight each other. We both made our name coming up and the time is now. We’re both great fighters and we put it all on the line.
“All I have to do is keep working and beat whoever they put in front of me. That starts with Ryan Garcia.
“My strategy is going to depend on what he brings that night. Whether he’s coming fast or slow, I always want to take my time. It all depends on what he brings.
“This is going to be an explosive fight. It’s two young guys who are hungry. It’s all about who wants it more. Whoever is really built like that, that’s who’s going to win. Nobody can fight for him. It’s about who’s got that dog in them.”
RYAN GARCIA
“This is a fight that I’ve been wanting for a very long time. To be a champion, you have to beat the best. It’s not about the titles, it’s about who you beat. It’s a testimony to the respect I have for Gervonta as a fighter.
“I want to be the best. During this whole journey, I put boxing first and the fans first. I had to accept a lot of stipulations, but my power comes from within and from above. My strength comes from my heart.
“We really came together and conquered the poison that’s been stopping boxing from making the biggest fights. We found a way.
“April 22 is the time where the words won’t matter anymore. The truth will come out. We’re both great fighters and we’ll settle it in the ring.
“If you look at boxing, it’s been hard to get prime fighters together. It usually happens too late. This is a moment that boxing has been longing for. You really can’t make a bigger fight than this.
“This is a defining moment in our careers. This is about legacy. This is about who really wants the crown.
“’Tank’ has the image of a devastating puncher. He’s a great fighter. I’ll know within myself what type of fighter I am after this fight. This is what I’ve always wanted.
“I just didn’t want to take the risk of an interim fight before this one. There are a lot of little things that can happen. I didn’t wait this long to mess it up at the finish line.
“I’m going to be ready for 12 rounds. You have to respect your opponent. You can’t just jump in to get a knockout. It might be more of a mental fight than people might believe. Different opponents make you approach fights in different ways.”
Gervonta “Tank” Davis(28-0, 26 KOs) has done it again; he sold out another arena(19,731 fans), Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., and he got another stoppage, as he stopped WBA featherweight champion Hector Luis Garcia(16-1, 10 KOs), who moved up to fight Davis at 135, in the ninth round Saturday night(Showtime PPV/PBC).
The 28-year-old Davis, who retained his WBA(secondary) 135-pound strap, started slow, took his time, and ultimately got to Garcia.
In the eighth round, Davis landed a hard left hand, and Garcia was hurt as he walked back to his corner; he complained to his corner that he could not see. Garcia’s trainer, Bob Santos, advised referee Earl Brown to call off the fight.
The official stoppage came 13 seconds into round nine.
“When I got the shot to my head in the final round, that’s when I couldn’t see from my eye,” Garcia said. “I didn’t know where I was when he hit me with that shot. My vision is back, but my head still hurts. I couldn’t see from my right eye. It was going well up until that point. I was picking my shots.”
Davis added: “I was a little surprised he didn’t come out,” said Davis. “But I knew he was hurt bad, but he’s a fighter, and he didn’t want to show it. I knew he was hurt, though.”
At the time of the stoppage, Davis led 79-73 on two cards and 78-74 on the third, which were all very wide scores. The fight was a little closer than the cards indicated.
According to Compubox, Garcia threw more(345-239), but Davis landed more(99-55), and according to Davis, who landed only four power punches in the first three rounds but connected on 69 in rounds four through eight, him not throwing much was all apart of the plan.
“I wasn’t throwing a lot of shots in the beginning because I was trying to beat him mentally,” Davis said. “I was trying to trick him with my hands and my eyes and things like that because he’s a tough fighter. I had to bait him.”
With Hector Luis Garcia out of the way, Davis can now focus on Ryan Garcia. The two sides have a deal (not official) to fight sometime in April.
“God willing, I’m ready for the fight with Ryan Garcia,” Davis said. “It’s scheduled for April. I’m here. He’s been training. He’s been talking. And let’s see who’s really about that.”
Davis had a lot going on outside the ring before his win over Garcia. He was arrested last week and charged with domestic violence after being accused of striking the mother of one of his daughters, which she later recanted.
Next month, Davis has another legal situation he has to deal with in his hometown of Baltimore. Davis will stand trial for an alleged hit-and-run that happened in November 2020.
Hopefully, he can get these things behind him and go forward with his career.
Davis is a star; at this point, the only thing that could stop him is him.
Gervonta “Tank” Davis and unbeaten 130-pound world champion Héctor Luis García went face to face for the final time during the weigh-in on Friday at Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C., before their big fight at 135 pounds on Saturday, January 7, from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions(Showtime PPV).
Both fighters weighed in at 134 pounds.
The weigh-in also featured face-offs between pay-per-view undercard fighters who step into the ring on the telecast beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
In the co-main event, unbeaten rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis duels IBF No. 4-rated welterweight Karen Chukhadzhian for the vacant Interim IBF Welterweight Title, while undefeated top welterweight contender Rashidi Ellis takes on the hard-hitting Roiman Villa in a 12-round IBF Welterweight Title Eliminator. Kicking off the pay-per-view, two-division world champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade battles Demond Nicholson in a 10-round super middleweight attraction.
Unbeaten world champion Héctor Luis García shared insights into his training camp as he prepares to take on boxing superstar and five-time world champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis on Saturday, January 7 in the SHOWTIME PPV main event from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. headlining a Premier Boxing Champions event.
The stacked four-fight pay-per-view telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is topped by Davis defending his WBA Lightweight Title against Héctor Luis García, who seeks to become a two-division champion after earning the WBA Super Featherweight World Championship this year.
A 2016 Olympian for his native Dominican Republic, Garcia (16-0, 10 KOs) burst onto the scene in 2022 with a triumph over Chris Colbert that many recognized as boxing’s Upset of the Year. The 31-year-old followed that up with a dominating decision victory over Roger Gutierrez to capture the 130-pound title in August, making him a top contender for 2022 Fighter of the Year. Here is what Garcia had to say about training camp in Las Vegas with top trainer Bob Santos, facing Gervonta Davis, and more:
On his recent training camp:
“Training camp for this fight has been something special as I’ve been taking all my strength and conditioning to another level. I’m running in high elevation, getting the proper sparring and everything has come together perfectly. I’ve had plenty of time to prepare for Gervonta Davis, so I’ll be the best version of myself on fight night. Bob Santos, my head trainer, is not only a masterful strategist, but he’s also controlling my diet, so my body is feeling great, and my weight is on point. The team I have around me right now is the best one I’ve had in my whole career.”
On his matchup with Davis:
“Davis in my opinion is a top pound-for-pound fighter and one of the biggest punchers in boxing, so I know going into this fight that I’m an underdog. Not a lot of people are giving me a chance in this fight, but that’s what motivates me. I was in the same situation going into the Colbert fight, but this time I had a real training camp. I believe my style will give ‘Tank’ problems. I’m a southpaw with many tricks and I will be using all of them when I step in the ring on January 7.”
On what a win does for his career:
“A victory against ‘Tank’ will solidify me as one of the best fighters in the world. I already believe that in my own mind, but the world will realize how good I am after this fight. I didn’t get here by myself. I want to thank my team for all their support. Getting this fight has changed my life forever, but winning it will do wonders for everyone on my team.”
On fighting for his countrymen back home in the Dominican Republic:
“Everyone back home will be watching this fight, so I want to make them proud with a great performance. Right now, the Dominican Republic is making big news in boxing. (WBA Super Lightweight World champion) Alberto Puello is a world champion and Carlos Adames will be soon. All of us are family and we love the support we get from our people back home. Fighters from the Dominican Republic are on the rise and we are here to stay.”
Welterweight contender Jaron “Boots” Ennis is in a tough spot. He’s too good to have fighters want to step in the ring with him. Ennis is high risk and low reward at this stage of his career.
However, if he keeps winning, fighters will have no choice but to fight him.
Ennis(29-0, 27 KOs) hopes to keep on winning when he battles Karen Chukhadzhian(21-1, 11 KOs) for the Interim IBF Welterweight Title in the co-main event headlined by Gervonta Davis-Hector Garcia on Saturday, January 7 from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.(Showtime PPV).
Jaron, and his trainer/father, Bozy Ennis, say they have not watched much of Chukhadzhian, but according to them, they will be ready.
“I haven’t watched any footage of my opponent, but my team has been watching him,” Jaron Ennis said at his media workout on Tuesday. “We have a game plan for what he does well.”
Bozy Ennis added: “I don’t watch the opponents; I let Jaron’s brothers do that. I watch the first round of the fight, and then I go from there. If you start looking at one fighter too much, you can get into a bad situation if they get hurt and have to be replaced. We train to face any kind of style.”
Ennis said he watched a lot of Mike Tyson for this camp, so it appears he’s shooting for the knockout.
“I’ve just been watching a lot of Mike Tyson myself,” Ennis said. “He put a lot of punches together. Triple, doubles, same hands, lots of knockouts. He didn’t see too many late rounds. I’ve been watching him a lot this camp.
If he gets by Chukhadzhian, Ennis has made it clear that he wants unified welterweight champion Errol Spence next. Some believe that the big fighters are avoiding him, including Spence, but Ennis feels that’s not the case.
“I feel like Errol Spence Jr. would fight me,” Ennis said. I’m going in there with the intention of winning the interim title, then fighting Errol next. I think we can make it happen.”
In the end, his goal is to be undisputed at 147 pounds.
“My motivation is to one day be undisputed at 147 pounds,” Ennis said. “I’m motivated every day, so this is just another day in the office for me.”
Undefeated five-time world champion and boxing superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis(27-0, 25 KOs) held a media workout in Miami on Wednesday as he prepares to defend his WBA Lightweight Title against undefeated world champion Héctor Luis García(16-0. 10 KOs) headlining a SHOWTIME PPV (9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT) on Saturday, January 7 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Davis has established himself as one of boxing’s hottest attractions and will need to dispatch the WBA Super Featherweight Champion Héctor Luis García in order to pave the way for the recently announced blockbuster clash against unbeaten star Ryan Garcia in the Spring of 2023.
Before his fight with Davis, Ryan Garcia was expected to take a tune-up fight, but Garcia nixed it, and now he’s going straight into the battle with Davis.
According to Tank, Garcia is just being lazy.
“I think Ryan Garcia’s being lazy not taking a fight before our fight,” Davis said. “I don’t know. When he was coming up, he was in the gym and everything, and now he’s got some money and a little bit of fame, and he’s partying and stuff like that. It happens to the majority of us, but it’s up to him to tighten up before it’s too late.”
Photos: Jose Pineiro/SHOWTIME
Unfortunately, in the sport of boxing, many big fights still need to be made, including Errol Spence-Terence Crawford. Davis is hoping his battle with Ryan Garcia will motivate others to make big fights.
“I am hoping that the Ryan Garcia fight will open up doors for everyone to make more big fights,” Davis said. “It also shows that I’m not ducking anybody.”
Hopefully, Davis is right. More big fights will be made in the sport of boxing. Regarding Garcia not taking a tune-up fight, if he feels he’s ready without another fight, maybe he’s right. In the end, let’s hope we see Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia next.
Three star-studded undercard attractions highlight a can’t-miss night of boxing on Saturday, January 7 on SHOWTIME PPV when undefeated five-time world champion and boxing superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis takes on unbeaten world champion Héctor Luis García in the main event from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
In the co-main event, unbeaten rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis returns to action to take on the IBF No.4-rated welterweight Karen Chukhadzhian for the Interim IBF Welterweight Title, while unbeaten welterweight contender Rashidi Ellis faces the hard-hitting Roiman Villa in a high-octane 12-round duel. Kicking off the pay-per-view telecast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, undefeated two-division world champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade steps into the ring for a 10-round super middleweight clash against Laurel, Maryland-native Demond Nicholson.
“With a blockbuster main even matchup, it is fitting that the pay-per-view undercard will be jam-packed from top to bottom with some of the sport’s best and most intriguing fighters in high-stakes clashes,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Jaron Ennis, Demetrius Andrade and Rashidi Ellis have all shown off their immense talent throughout their careers and will all look to take important steps on January 7 in Washington, D.C. Ennis is one of the sport’s bright young stars and will be looking to move even closer to a world title fight, while Ellis is deep into his own ascent on the 147-pound crown. Kicking off the telecast is the dangerous two-division champion Andrade, who can send a message to the rest of the 168-pound division when he opens the pay-per-view. This card is lined up to deliver from open to close and has all the makings of a night of non-stop action.”
Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs) is the latest in the pantheon of outstanding Philadelphia fighters, combining elite boxing skills with natural power in both hands. After two appearances on SHOBOX: The New Generation®, the 25-year-old Ennis graduated to headlining his first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® telecast in April 2021, as he became the first fighter to stop former world champion Sergey Lipinets. He followed up that performance with an impressive first-round stoppage of Thomas Dulorme in October of that year, before most recently blasting out Custio Clayton in two rounds in May in his ninth appearance on SHOWTIME®. The knockout victory gave Ennis 19 KOs in his last 20 fights, with the only blemish being a no-decision in the first round against Chris van Heerden in December 2020.
“I can’t wait to start 2023 off right by putting on another explosive performance for my fans,” said Ennis. “I respect all my opponents and am training harder than ever to come out victorious on January 7 to move one step closer to becoming world champion. Next year is going to be the most significant year of my career and it all starts with this fight. My time is now.”
The 26-year-old Chukhadzhian (21-1, 11 KOs) rose up the IBF rankings with a pair of stoppage victories in 2022, dispatching of Ryan Martin in eight rounds in January prior to retiring Blake Minto after six rounds in July. A native of Kiev, Ukraine, Chukhadzhian now fights out of Germany as he prepares to make his U.S. debut on January 7. The only blemish on his record came in his second pro fight, a three-round split-decision loss in a tournament-style bout.
“When the offer to fight Jaron Ennis came to us, we immediately agreed,” said Chukhadzhian. “Ennis is a very good boxer. However, both Armenian and Ukrainian blood flows through my veins, and I’m not traveling to the U.S. for a check, but with the goal of showing that all of the hard work we put in was not in vain. We are preparing in the gym, where there is no water and light because of the war. But what doesn’t break us only makes us stronger. I’m confident I will have my hand raised on January 7!”
The 29-year-old Ellis (24-0, 15 KOs) returned to the ring for the first time since October 2020 in July, blasting out Jose Marruffo in the first round. His previous outing had seen him earn an impressive unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Alexis Rocha. Originally from Lynn, Mass., Ellis also owns a pair of victories over veteran contender Eddie Gomez, including a first-round knockout over Gomez in December 2016, before winning by unanimous decision in their 2019 rematch.
“I’m grateful to be stepping into the ring on such a big card to show off my talents,” said Ellis. “I want to thank my whole team for this opportunity and I can’t wait to make the most of it on January 7. I’m ready to go out and accomplish my goals. I’m coming to take care of the welterweight division one fight at a time.”
A native of Rosario, Venezuela, Villa (25-1, 24 KOs) earned a career-best victory in his most recent bout, as he made a memorable U.S. debut by dropping the previously unbeaten Janelson Bocachica on his way to a unanimous decision in a September edition of SHOBOX: The New Generation. The 29-year-old has fought professionally since 2015, scoring knockouts in all of his first 24 victories prior to the decision in his last bout. The only blemish on Villa’s record came via a narrow split-decision against Marcos Villasana in a 12-round 2019 bout.
“I am having a great training camp right now and preparing to be at my very best on January 7,” said Villa. “I’m looking forward to being able to show all my power and preparation in my next fight against Rashidi Ellis. This is my chance to show that I’m going to be a world champion in the welterweight division.”
A 2008 U.S. Olympian® from Providence, Rhode Island, Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs) has captured world titles at 154 and 160-pounds as he now embarks toward becoming a three-division world champion. The 34-year-old captured the 154-pound title with a 2013 victory over Vanes Martirosyan and went on to defend the belt four times before moving up to middleweight. At 160-pounds, Andrade won a dominant decision over Walter Kautondokwa in October 2018 to win a vacant world title, before putting together a string of five consecutive title defenses, including most recently stopping Jason Quigley in two rounds in November 2021.
“My goal right now is to become a three-division world champion,” said Andrade. “Super middleweight is a stacked division with more characters to make some great fights for the fans. I hope Demond Nicholson has a safe camp and brings his very best to the table so that we can have a great showing on this card. I’m ready to display my talent and skill on my journey to becoming a three-division world champion.”
Currently riding a three-bout winning streak, Nicholson (26-4-1, 22 KOs) will look to impress on the big stage not far from his hometown of Laurel, Maryland. The 29-year-old’s current run came after a 2021 decision defeat against Edgar Berlanga, and most recently saw him stop Christopher Brooker in August.
“This is a great opportunity for me to attack my dreams,” said Nicholson. “A win on January 7 is going to get me closer to accomplishing the goals I have in this lifetime. I am ready for anything my opponent is going to bring to the ring, so the fans should expect a great fight for as long as this one lasts.”
