It’s been confirmed by multiple sources, including the fighters themselves. The much-anticipated clash between 20-something undefeated rising superstars, Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Ryan “King Ry” Garcia is one giant step closer to happening.
According to reports, the 28-year-old Davis and the 24-year-old Garcia will meet on April 15 at a venue to be announced. Each fighter will take one January bout first, however, as a prelude to the big one. Davis is already signed to face world titlist Hector Luis Garcia on January 7.
Conflicting business arrangements and broadcast deals between the two fighters were the biggest hurdle to making the bout, but compromises were made and everything fell into place soon after. Showtime, the broadcast home to Davis for his last eleven fights, will handle the telecast and traditional pay-per-view sales while Garcia’s broadcast home (via output deal with promoter Golden Boy) DAZN will have the right to sell the pay-per-view on their platform as well.
By some accounts, the deal was forced into being due to the insistence of both competitors, who pushed hard to get the bout made. If it follows through, Davis-Garcia will settle a longstanding social media feud between the two one-punch KO artists.
“This is the fight I want and this is the fight boxing needs,” Garcia said in a press release announcing the fight. “The hype, the storylines, the two athletes defining their sport inside the ring and out. I am going to knock ‘Tank’ out and take my place as the face of our incredible sport, and I’m bringing a new generation of boxing fans with me. I appreciate Tank volunteering to get beat so that I can get to work.”
Garcia also took to social media, where his following is nearly in the eight-digits, to talk up his excitement over the fight being made.
“Boxing needs this fight right now,” Garcia tweeted. “It’s time for us to get back to what made this sport so great for the fans: Glamorous fights in places like Las Vegas, grudge match storylines, and most importantly– the best fighting the best.”
Davis, whose own social media following is close to 4.5 million, also sounded off via his verified accounts.
“I’ll be back in the ring Jan 7 stay tuned for more details! After that it’s me and Ryan signed sealed delivered…done deal!,” the three-division world champ said informed his followers.
Other participants in the promotion have commented on the making of this bout, which seemed, at times, like it would not get made.
“Tank Davis vs Ryan Garcia is one of the biggest and most exciting fights that can be made in boxing,” said Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza.
“We have two supremely talented boxers, both in their prime, who have amassed huge fanbases, meeting in a career-defining fight. This is the epitome of a crossover boxing event. All credit to Tank and Ryan for staying the course and giving the fans the fight they want.
“Showtime has delivered the three biggest pay-per-view events in television history and we are thrilled to add this marquee event to our list of culture-moving matchups.”
Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya also sounded off on the matter.
“It’s high time that those outside the ring stop getting in the way of those who want nothing more than to get into the ring and fight,” De La Hoya tweeted.
All in all, the boxing world is abuzz about the idea of the two mega-talented bangers meeting in the ring to hash out years’ worth of online bad blood.
A caveat to the excitement should be in order, though, as contracts are reportedly yet to be signed and Davis still faces a court date in February for hit-and-run charges that could result in serious prison time.
