By Sam Volz: Ryan Garcia says he’s already won the fight in his mind against Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis. All he needs to do now is put that vision into reality when he faces the Baltimore native on Showtime PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
(Photo credit: Ryan Hafey/Premier Boxing Champions)
Ryan’s prediction of victory over Davis is similar to how Cassius Clay predicted a victory over Sonny Liston in their first fight in 1964.
Clay was an 8-1 underdog, but he shocked the world by stopping Liston in the seventh round when the champion quit.
Unfortunately, there won’t be a world title at stake for the Tank Davis vs. Ryan fight on April 22nd, but the absence of a belt for this clash doesn’t make the content any less important.
It still would be nice to have one on the line. A victory for Ryan would catapult him to superstardom, bringing instant fame, endorsements, and huge money. A loss for Tank could destroy his career, sending him down the same dirty back road we saw with Liston.
Ryan (23-0, 19 KOs) and his trainer Joe Goosen have studied Tank Davis’ fights and know well what he will do at any given time inside the ring. Tank could be disappointed if he thinks he can surprise Ryan as he did against his recent opponents, Hector Garcia and Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero.
Ryan Garcia not afraid of Tank
“I’m just on fire now. I’m on point. I feel like I’ve evolved as a fighter, and I’ve gotten way better, and at this point, I’m going to surprise Gervonta. I’m going to win,” said Ryan Garcia to Fighthype.
“He’s nothing scary. He’s just a guy that is trying his best to come to the top as well, and we’re just meeting at a big event, and that’s it. I don’t take too much out of the encounters I’ve had with him,” said Ryan when asked about his thoughts on his face-offs with Tank Davis.
“It’s pretty much the same process. I’m just fine-tuning myself to my best abilities and evolving as a fighter, and focusing on myself. I’m not too worried about the event and Gervonta. He’s just another guy.
“Joe [Goosen] has been good. We’ve been focused. We’re on the same page, and on fire right now. He’ll tell you that I’m looking really good. I’m very excited to show everybody what I can do on fight night,” Garcia said.
Kingry vows to “destroy” Gervonta
“A complete fighter, and I’m going to destroy Gervonta,” said Ryan. “It’s reality, and it’s unfolding right before my eyes, and I’m so excited. I feel like I’m in line for that division, and it’s here. I just need time to catch up, but I’ve already won this fight in my mind for sure.
“I’m ready to do this thing. I’m ready to beat Gervonta. The realization that even if I put on a show for you guys here, it won’t change the outcome of this fight. So, I got to stay focused and zone into where I am as a fighter and try and stay in tune as I’ve been.
“So I just see how this is and what needs to be done. I don’t really want to do this, but I just do it. I think I’m going to catch him and knock him out. Many rounds, any rounds, but you build up a lot, I build up a lot, and I’m taking everything.
“You put it on the line, and I put it on the line, and I’m just that much more focused than you. Nothing. He was just shadowboxing,” said Ryan when asked what he took from watching Tank Davis’ media workout. He’s just easy to fool. That’s just all,” said Ryan about Gervonta.
