By Allan Fox: Shawn Porter says he doesn’t believe the fight between Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Ryan Garcia will happen yet because the business isn’t there for it to work with two networks.
Porter had Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe on his podcast recently, and he says he wants to make sure the business is right before the Tank vs. Garcia fight is made.
In other words, the fight needs to marinate more before it’s realistic to make it.
How long it will take before that fight is big enough to be massive in a dual-network match-up is unknown. The chances of Ryan Garcia (22-0, 18 KOs) losing to someone in the near year or two are high.
If Ryan were to fight the same opposition Tank has been fighting, it’s fair to say that he can stay unbeaten for the next five to ten years because Mayweather Promotions has been matching Gervonta against flawed fighters exclusively.
Tank vs. Kingry not happening yet
“We had Leonard Ellerbe on the Porter Way podcast, and Leonard wants to make sure the business is always right,” said Shawn Porter to Fight Hub TV when asked if he thinks Ryan Garcia vs. Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis happens this year.
“Usually, when the business is all the way right, the fans are the ones left hanging. I’m very optimistic, but if that fight is waiting on the business, in this cause, it [Tank vs. Ryan Garcia] might be hard to make,” said Porter.
Ryan could outgrow the 135-lb division long before a fight with Tank marinates, and that’s going to make it tough for him to have to drain down from 140 or 147 to return to the 135-lb division.
“It’s got to be good for everybody [Mayweather Promotions and DAZN],” said Porter. “You think that fight is as big as it’s going to be, and you think about how is it everyone can’t benefit from this?
“So sometimes the business figures out, ‘We’re not all benefiting, so let’s not do it.’ Let’s hope for the best and be optimistic.
“Yeah, I’m sold on Ryan Garcia; how could you not be?” said Porter. “Ryan has figured out how to drive his car [career] in a way that no other fighters have not figured out how to drive their car.
“He uses his social media, he uses his brand, and he uses it in a way where he can make money without getting in the ring.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. But because people haven’t seen it before, it doesn’t work, and it’s not going to work, but he’s made it work up to this point.
“The thing is, it’s going to take beating someone like Javier Fortuna to take him more serious,” Porter said.
Ryan Garcia is still unproven
“Between his social media following and really he essentially doesn’t have to box, and he’s a good-looking young guy, and the list goes on,” said Porter. “People are like, ‘What are you doing here?’
“It’s very contrary to what we believe a fighter to be or should be, and that’s why people have been giving him such a hard take to this point and not really accepted him.
“It’s simply because he’s just not an average fighter. He’s different, and for someone who has always prided himself on being different, I salute Ryan Garcia.
“When you get in the ring and put on performances like he has, it lets you know there’s nothing wrong with what he’s doing. He’s put enough time in the gym and making the right moves so he can be successful in the ring.
“It’s just a matter of time for people to let go of the fact that he’s doing it the way he’s doing it. The way he’s been doing it has been unacceptable for years in this sport,” said Shawn Porter.
