Tank To Open A Big Year Of Boxing
Gervonta Davis returns to the ring to set the tone for what promises to be a massive 2023 in the sport.
And there is no doubt that one of the highlights of the calendar will be the 136lb catchweight blockbuster between Gervonta and Ryan Garcia.
But as we know, boxing is never simple. Not only does ‘Tank’ have his own in-ring hurdle to jump before they face-off, but he has also had his share of distractions away from the squared circle.
On December 28th, he was arrested on one count of domestic violence by Parkland Police. His $1,000 bond? Pocket change to a fighter who has spent the majority of his career in the Mayweather circle. He was out of custody just a day later.
He then took to Instagram where he posted this.
However, for Tank, perhaps the personal problems, or even the looming thought of Ryan Garcia, are the least of his worries.
Take the stage… Hector Garcia.
Now this Garcia may not be as well regarded as the one we all think of when we hear the Garcia name. After all, Ryan does have 8 million more Instagram followers than Hector which is, of course, quite telling in the modern world.
What Ryan doesn’t have, however, is an Olympic background, a world title eliminator win, and an actual world title win. Make no mistake, Hector Garcia is more than credible.
But credibility only goes so far. Gervonta has dynamite in those hands which is unmatched around that weight-class. Leo Santa Cruz saw the stars, Rolly Romero didn’t even see it coming.
So I suppose the boxing fraternity can be forgiven for seeing Saturday as a foregone conclusion.
If they are right, it means we are a step closer to getting the fight that is so heavily demanded.
Not just heavily demanded, but also ‘agreed’.
Although boxing fans will not need reminding twice that agreements in this sport are about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Yes, the ‘framework’ of the contract for Ryan and Tank is supposedly complete…
… but DAZN and Showtime is a relationship with baggage. Word is of a joint PPV, but that’s one we’ll probably have to see to believe.
Either way, it’s a fight the sport is crying out for. Tank needs to do his bit, and Ryan needs him to do it to. Ryan decided against a warm-up of his own after initial talk was heating up around himself and Mercito Gesta.
An experienced southpaw, it would have been a fight that made sense for Ryan with what lay round the corner. Some will say it stinks of arrogance, but then why potentially jeopardise what is a fight of such magnitude?
It’s fair to say the boxing gods haven’t been kind to us in recent years. Fury-Joshua looks to have run its course, and Spence-Crawford is just a complete ball ache. If anything, this is a fight we deserve.
So, over to you Gervonta Davis. Hector Garcia is a rugged, tricky and strong fighter. Just ask Chris Colbert. Just as Roger Gutierrez. This really is a fight that requires Tank’s A-game.
I have to say, it is a pretty good way to start 2023.
Oscar Bevis