Davis vs Garcia: Tank Targets New Year KO
One of boxing’s biggest stars gets the 2023 fight schedule underway this weekend as Gervonta Davis returns to headline in Washington against latest challenger Hector Luis Garcia.
‘Tank’ looks set to collide with long-standing rival Ryan Garcia later in the year, after agreeing a deal for their awaited showdown.
But the undefeated Baltimore-native must first deal with whatever threat is posed by Hector Garcia.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the first massive fight night of the New Year from DC.
DAVIS VS GARCIA FIGHT DETAILS
Fight: Gervonta Davis vs Hector Luis Garcia
Titles: WBA lightweight title
Date: Sunday, January 8th
Main Event Time: Approx. 4AM BST
Live On: Fite TV
PPV Price: £8.99
Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, USA
Undercard:
Jaron Ennis vs Karen Chukhadzhian
Demetrius Andrade vs Demond Nicholson
Brandun Lee vs Patrick Okine
DAVIS VS GARCIA FIGHT PREVIEW
Coming off a single-fight 2022, Gervonta Davis has begun the New Year with two bouts already lined up in the coming months.
First off, Tank will face Hector Luis Garcia in Washington, as he aims to follow up his devastating sixth-round knockout victory over Rolando Romero with another high-profile success.
If the three-division world champion can overcome Garcia as expected, one of the biggest and most anticipated fights of the year will subsequently be confirmed.
Ryan Garcia has long been a potential opponent for Davis and their blockbuster battle is already pencilled in for later in the year, having agreed to a catchweight clash.
But the undefeated 28-year-old has admitted he isn’t looking past the first of two Garcias on his hitlist, as he aims to start 2023 in typically destructive fashion.
Tank has only been taken the 12-round distance once in his career to date. Mexican challenger Isaac Cruz was a very late replacement in December 2021 for Davis, who also picked up a serious hand injury.
But he still rallied to a unanimous decision victory in LA before the eventual KO of Romero in New York.
Dominican Republic fighter, Garcia, now represents a different threat and is seeking another huge upset in his career.
Last year, Garcia stunned rising prospect Chris Colbert with a surprise one-sided beatdown on his way to a unanimous decision in Las Vegas.
The 31-year-old then followed it by achieving his dream of becoming world champion. Just six months later, Garcia dethroned Roger Gutierrez to win the super-featherweight title.
But he now faces the toughest task of his career against Tank, who has stopped 25 of the 27 men to step into the ring with him.
After sacrificing the festive period for his latest training camp, Tank aims to deal with the Garcia currently in front of him before focusing on his more high-profile namesake later in what looks set to be a prosperous 2023.
Header video & image: IG - @mouusetrapp