By Adam Baskin: Andre Ward gives the edge to Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis over the younger, less experienced Ryan Garcia if/when the two meet for their mega-fight.
Ward sounded a little frustrated about the glacially slow negotiations for the Davis vs. Ryan fight, and he wants the talks to be wrapped up as the boxing fans do.
In a sign that we might not be seeing the Tank-Ryan anytime soon, Showtime executive Stephen Espinoza hinted on Thursday that Mayweather Promotions & PBC would like for Ryan to jump ship from DAZN to his network for the Tank Davis fight.
Since the chances of that happening are zero, the hope is that Mayweather Promotions & PBC are willing to make it a dual promotion so that the fight can occur.
DAZN wants to show the fight as well, which is understandable because it’ll bring in excellent numbers. Obviously, with the Davis vs. Garcia fight being shared among two networks, it won’t bring in the massive numbers it would if it were if it was a single network event.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. I can’t call it, bro. I’m just waiting to see it. I’m tired of hearing about it,” said Andre Ward to Fighthype about the Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis vs. Ryan Garcia fight.
“If they’re going to do it, lock it down, but there’s only so much talking about it that you can do,” Ward continued about the Tank – Ryan fight. “But for me, being a vet in the game, all the back & forth is cool.
“Casual fans and all that stuff, they love that kind of stuff. I like it too, but after a certain point, sign the contract and move on.
“I’m going to give Tank the edge based on experience and overall power. Ryan has power too, but if you have to lean, probably Gervonta. We’ll see what happens,” said Ward.
“I think it’s more 60-40. The reason it’s 60-40 is because Gervonta has more experience. He’s been there a lot,” said David Benavidez to Fighthype, giving Tank Davis the edge to beat Ryan.
“I think the overall star is Ryan Garcia, but for boxing, the one with experience and is a real boxer, it’s Gervonta Davis. He’s had time in the gym and in big championship fights where he’s had to dig deep. He’s shown that he can still knock people out in the later rounds.
“Ryan Garcia, I still want to see him fight stronger opposition. I still feel he’s a great fighter. He can make anything happen. He has a great left hook and great speed. I like the way he uses distance too. A lot of people don’t pay attention to it.
“He moves his feet and keeps his distance really good. It’ll be a great fight. If you see any boxing star, they don’t blossom until they’re 28. Like Canelo. After he had his first Golovkin fight, that’s when his career took off.
“Errol Spence, when he best Mikey, that’s when his career took off. He was 28, 29. Crawford, when he fought Gamboa, he was 27, 28. I turn 26 this year. I feel everything is moving at its own pace. I feel like I’m impatient.
“If I keep working hard and stay motivated, I feel like I’ll be here for a long, long time.
“A perfect example is how he fought Rolly. Rolly was landing some really good shots. I thought Rolly hurt him a couple of times. The way he moved, boxed, and set his feints up. He throws his check hook from the corner, and then he goes around.
“That’s what’s going to help him a lot. His boxing IQ, using the ring. You can sit there and bang, and the man that’s stronger is going to win. The person that sets you up with feints is going to set you up with traps.
“Move here, hit you, and then go over there. It’s the little things that make the biggest impact.
“Keep his distance. I feel he should keep his distance, jab, look for that hook, and throw a lot of body shots,” said Benavidez when asked what Ryan Garcia must do to defeat Tank Davis.
“If he lands that body shot that he landed on Luke Campbell, it’s good night. It’s going to be a little bit easier to land that left hook to the body because Gervonta’s left liver is literally right in front of the left hook. So it’s closer, and it’s easier to hit it.
“Yeah, that’s what I feel he [Ryan] should focus on. His combinations, his jabs, and body shots.
“I feel like because of more accomplished they are, Errol Spence and Terence Crawford. That would be the more interesting fight, but I feel like the fight that would bring in more fans would be Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis.
“That pay-per-view would be crazy. That would be a pay-per-view that sells a lot. Both of them are going to sell a lot and be legendary fights in the future. I’m excited that we get to see it live,” said Benavidez.
