Gervonta Davis Names Ryan Garcia As The Best He's Faced – ‘Was Fun While It Lasted'

Gervonta Davis has named Ryan Garcia as the best fighter he has ever boxed. 

The pair met each other last year when they were undefeated in their lightweight clash. The fight resonated with the public, selling over 1.2 million PPVs. It also set the record for the highest-earning boxing event of 2023, with a live gate of over $20 million. The fight did not last as long as fans may have wanted, though.

Garcia began the opening round well as he boxed on the front foot. However, he became too aggressive, getting dropped by a left-hand counter in the second. Since that moment, he never looked the same, as he was stopped by a body shot in the seventh. That was Davis’ biggest win, as he described himself as the ‘face of boxing.’ Davis felt Garcia was the real deal while it lasted. 

Davis On Garcia

"I’d say he’s the best fighter. Definitely, we was going off each other energy in there. We was actually talking in there. You know what I mean? It was fun. It was fun while it lasted. You know what I mean? I enjoyed every moment of it. I was already aware a couple steps before he did it. So, I was mostly calm and just let him make his mistakes and I just, you know, yeah, I countered off his mistakes," Davis said 

Nevertheless, Davis’ comments must be taken with a pinch of salt. He fought Garcia at a 136-pound catchweight and a ten-pound rehydration clause. Garcia is on record saying that this hindered him. He would eventually move up to 140 and then box Devin Haney later. Garcia could not even make 140, showing that lightweight took it from him.

Davis’ comments may set up the narrative for a rematch once Garcia returns to boxing following his ban for Ostarine in April 2025. Davis’ other competitive fight was against Isaac Cruz. Cruz lasted the distance even if he lost a unanimous decision. Davis later disclosed he had a hand injury, leaving fans wondering how well Cruz performed. However, Davis reminded everyone of his skills in his last fight against Frank Martin.

Davis’ Future

He was returning to action after serving 44 days in jail for breaking his house arrest conditions. This was in relation to a prior hit-and-run incident. Tank knocked out Martin after getting outboxed in the earlier rounds to remind everyone of his power. He is expected to eventually face Shakur Stevenson, the WBC Lightweight Champion, making that the biggest fight in the weight class. But following Shakur’s deal with Matchroom Boxing, Tank’s co-trainer has doubts about whether the fight will happen. 

"Not if he’s signed with Matchroom, cause they not gonna do that to Shakur. They wouldn’t do that … This is my opinion, I’m not saying the fight ain’t gonna happen after 2025 but I wouldn’t do it. He’s a three-time champion. He don’t need no more experience, no more build-up, his names big enough. Everybody want it now. Anything else is just bulls**t. So if you can’t do it now or in 2025, why do it in 26" Ellis 

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