By Miguel Maravilla at ringside
Undefeated WBA “regular” lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) scored a seventh round KO against “Kingry” Ryan Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) in a non-title grudge match fought at a 136lb catch weight on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. After a slow first round, Garcia opened up in round two until Davis dropped him with a counter left. Tactical fight after that until Davis landed a short body shot in round seven. Garcia took a knee and was counted out. Time was 1:44.
Garcia came out shooting the jab and displayed some flash in the opening round as Davis pawed and attempted to work his way in. Davis held for dear life in round two as Garcia connected flush but Ryan got careless and a hard counter left by Davis sat Garcia down. Starting off at a slow pace in round three, Garcia kept his distance snapping the jab and boxing as Davis measured with his jab, a wild looping left by Garcia missed in the later part. In the fourth, Davis and Garcia stuck the jab, shortly after Davis connected with a lunging counter left.
Stalking in the fifth, Garcia went head hunting and nearly got countered by a Davis left. At the midway point in the sixth, Garcia had a good round as he jabbed and connected solidly with the right hand snapping Davis’s head. Past the halfway point in the seventh, Davis landed a hard crunching left to the body, Garcia backed up and with a delayed reaction took a knee as referee Thomas Taylor reached a ten count.
At the time of the KO, Davis was ahead 58-56, 59-56, 59.55.
He quit, hopefully we never see him in a ring again.
What’s worse, the coward Davis had to put in weight restrictions. What was more embarrassing? The quit, or the scared to fight him at a regular weight?
Canelo Alvarez would do the exact same thing when he was with Golden Boy.
He would defend his 160 title at 155 and add a dehydration clause.
Where do you think Tank and his team learned that from?
Canelo learned it from Floyd
Floyd learned it from Pacquiao…we can go on and on….
WTF hahahahahahaha
Mayweather
whats the regular weight? Superhype wanted to fight him at 140 why? and why not a rehydration clause Garcia walks around at 165-170lbs if you fight at 135 you should not be allowed to weigh in as a lightweight but step in the ring as a supermiddleweight lol
If your genetics allow it then its natural so why not. Sports is filled with athletes that are better than other simply because of their genes.
Think about what you just said
The lowest level of common sense should’ve made you keep your mouth shut
That was seriously the biggest peice of crap fight ever. Just glad I watched it on livestream and didn’t pay for it . Both of them looked like sh*t let’s keep it 1000. Whoever bought this fight & thought it was the biggest fight of the decade KYS!
Huge disappointment considering the hype!
100% correct. He quit. Immediately after the fight we put on Gatti-Ward I. Both got hit with 100 worse body shots than that and kept coming. Wanted to see some real warriors. Very disappointing.
You don’t know boxing very well. A kidney or liver punch is one of the most devastating punches. It’s not quitting! I’ve seen it hundreds of times. The head wants to get up but the body wont let it. A knockout no less. Usually takes a minute to get breath back. You’re welcome for the boxing 101 lesson.
Right !! ? These people seem to have forgotten about Hopkins vs DeLaHoya. These punches are devastating. Well said.
Easy work for Tank. Garcia isn’t elite. Think he won the first then Tank pretty much did as he pleased. Garcia has bad feet and chin is up in the air. Jab pretty ineffective too. It’s all about throwing the Hail Mary left hook. That’s about it.
Have to agree. The level of each fighter was made obvious, Tank does have the higher boxing IQ, hopefully he can flatten Haney for us.
If you haven’t been in a ring and hit with a body shot like that then you don’t know the extreme pain Of paralyses with that kind of body shot. Props to both fighters and congrats to Tank Davis.
Name me which great champions were ever ko’d by a body shot? Lmao
Oscar de La Hoya
@Pete, De la Hoya by B-Hop
Oscar De La Hoya when Hopkins made him cry with a body shot.
Ironically, I felt Oscar had quit with that body shot loss as well. Although it was a much better shot than landed on Garcia. What the deciding factor to me was experience. Or Ryan’s lack there of. Rushing all his work. Putting too much on his shots leaving him off balance and vulnerable after punching. He was stepping back out of Davis range nicely in occasion, leaving Davis missing and reaching. But just didn’t stay relaxed enough to then step in with shots. Fight Davis in the pocket will be dangerous for anyone. The kid is fast, counters well and has power. I thought it could have been a winnable fight for Garcia. Control the distance, use your reach with your foot work to create openings.
But for me, all that is now moot. I feel there is an obligation as a professional fighter to show fighting heart. And not “just bleed” mash him into canvas. I guess I’d just like to see a guy I just paid almost a hundred dollars to watch fight a man he promised to knock out, while being paid millions, show just a little more fighting heart than that. Go out on your shield ? Or wait patiently on one knee, while checking if your nose is bleeding. Then emediately regaining your feet at the ten count. As a fan, and maybe selfish, but I don’t care. I feel cheated.
Oscar Delahoya Ryans vs Benard Hopkins both of a Garcias promoters, lol…
I Meant, Oscar Delahoya vs Benard Hopkins both of a Garcias promoters, lol…
Oscar by Bhop
Oscar de la Hoya (by Bernard Hopkins)
Didn’t Roy Jones Jr end Virgil Hill’s night on a body shot?
Yes but both Virgil and Oscar were way over the hill(no pun intended) and huge underdogs in those fights. Nobody expected them to win. Ryan is 24 and was expected to go all out. He failed miserably. I watched that punch from ever angle and I can’t see how it would incapacitate him. Especially after all of his body shot challenges. Disappointing.
What are you talking about both fighters being over the hill? Hill got his ribs broken and it was for a championship belt. Over the hill my a_ _!
That broke his vertebrae !
Lee, getting on in years and was hesitant in referring to that shot cracking a vertebrae. Good on ya for the memory and posting it. I still mention to the young amatuers in the gym that Roy cracked a vertebrae with that body shot. As I age I see myself becoming “one of those old guys”. But alas, them were the days.
Giovanni segura ko Ivan calderon
Barrera ko Paulie Ayala.
Pauly was the challenger but yes good memory Whetto. Let me guess you’ve follow boxing and are in your 50s. I’m sorry d that age and remember seeing all these great matches on HBO After Dark.
I’m mid 40’s so almost there. I don’t feel like I’m dying so no need to be sorry I’m that age. And yes I did enjoy watching HBO after dark along with HBO championship boxing, sho box and showtime championship boxing. But I have to say that there is a point, can’t think of a great fighter being kod by a bodyshot. Paulie and calderon was the closest I could think.
Pete, I love it when people laugh at their own post. You must be a casual boxing fan.
Well said
Body shot hurts Pete, there has been some exceptions, but that just mainly because they were special fighters, like Maidana or Gatti, but the normal trend is that once a boxer is hit in the sweet spot, he stays down in pain. Greats of the game couldn’t get up? Rocky Graziano vs Sugar Ray Leonard, Vicente Saldivar vs Eder Jofre, Omar Narvaez vs Naoya Inoue and many others.
I meant Sugar Ray Robinson
Jose Luis Castillo by a Hatton liver shot and then Hatton was ended by a body shot from Vyacheslav Senchenko who ironically had lost his wba welter title to Malignaggi by ko of all things, one fight earlier….
Castillo also looked like he took the knee when he didn’t have to. Owing money to corrales kind of made it feel like he just wanted to pay his debt and go home.
Exactly!
I can appreciate the moon without having to become an astronaut.
arturo- you are right but take a look at that much again ….look at garcias face- he found a way to quit…..duran, marquez, sanchez, Leonard, hagler and manny never did anything like this…..just the cross dresser oscar and his wannabe garcia
Maybe he did quit because I been hit with those type of shots as an amateur and they hurt like hell. You either wanna get up and go out like a warrior or you stay down. I unfortunately got up and got stopped in a tournament and spent the night in a hospital and was in a brace for 3 weeks.
That shot paralyzed his legs. It’s a liver punch. Very few stand up after that shot…
didnt look like a liver shot though it was up higher
The liver is up high. It’s behind your upper right abdominal
its underneath the rib cage on the right side
Ryan Garcia is a warrior he just didn’t have it tonight. His best was out best
look at it again – like jc chavez said – it was not even a solid punch….i fought and been hit too—it did not land he found a way out – when there was resistance he could not handle it….his parents rode him like a mule to make millions – their money stream is now limited
Duran literally quit – “no más”
Ever heard of the “No Mas’ fight?
That was more quit due to humiliation.
Watch the shot, again, please, Arturo. In slow motion will help too much. Then watch Khan-Maidana.
Mai Dana had here. Garcia not so much.
He got hit in the rib cage. He quit. Period. That was no devastating shot.
its stange how so many ppl have that out body experiece, how do anyone knew how that punch affected him
You are absolutely right
Been in the ring, been hit with everything but the kitchen sink. A body shot was the least of my concern. He gave up and I was hoping he would win. Never again will I root, hope, or want Garcia to win.
Outstanding, break down
I understand the effect, but if you can get up immediately when waived off at 10 count why can’t you get up a a count earlier at 9? It’s because the boxer made a decision to not take punishment to the head by getting up and having to protect the injured body. That’s a business decision Garcia made
WHAT A JOKE!!!! Garcia did NOTHING all night!! Literally NOTHING at all. Embarrassing!!! He’s done. He can’t beat Lima, Haney, Kambosos, Davis, or even Lopez. What a waste of time that “fight” was.
I’d favor Tank over everyone at 130, 135 and 140. He was sharp and kept Ryan from landing anything big. Used his feet well, countered effectively, and got a body shot KO.
I think Haney beats him I didn’t see a great fighter in tank tonight saw a way better fighter than Ryan’s lame ass but not a great fighter
The fight game is a thinking man’s game
I’d be happy to see Haney versus Tank
Prograis knocks him out. Tank has never fought anyone A class. Garcia was pure hype. You’re a casual who shouldn’t make such comments. I don’t think Tank beats an old Lomachenko, tbh.
yes pure hype- why people buy these ppv is beyond me – this fight was not even worth it on free tv
Remember this name Keyshawn Davis
Is this the kid from the Olympics?
@Berserker, so sorry your choice lost again!
When you are a prize fighter or fighting at the elite level, you must have clean work
I think this loss will make Ryan work harder and get better. I can see a rematch later on.
Not at 135.
Only shocked it lasted that long.
The fight people actually wanna see is Davis Vs lomachenko. This fight was basically a scam because Ryan Garcia is pretty much a faster, smaller skull version of Jake paul.
Jake Paul walks around at 230lbs. What’s your point this was a lightweight fight. 135!
Zero comparison, Garcia was over confident thinking he could easily beat Tank, the rehydration clause did not do him any justice.
Garcia had 230 amateur fights and was a fifteen time amateur champion. He has more than enough to become a multi weight world champ, comparing him to Jake Paul is weak! He just got beat by a better fighter.
I had many reasons to pick Garcia, but there are times in which an opponent’s pure punching power controls everything. There was a distinct thudding sound off Garcia’s body, and I said oh sh*t because Garcia was in immediate pain. I am not sure what is next for Garcia.
Davis was a thinking man’s fighter in there because Garcia was a big, tall cat with serious range, power and speed. Davis may have to wait for the Haney/Loma dust to clear before figuring out his next opponent. Stevenson is getting physically settled and lurking at 135. Davis is definitely not fighting a rematch with Cruz. I have a feeling Cruz will remain in the cold.
Great win for Davis!! For the folks who picked Davis, great job!!
A bit of a tactical, dull fight outside of the second round knockdown leading up to the ending in round seven. Tank is a smart fighter in there and delivered that body shot right when Kingry was getting some momentum with his right hand a bit. Tank showed he was on a different level tonight but Garcia is still young and will come back. Garcia needs to ditch 135 and stay at 140 or possibly go up to 147. I was also impressed by David Morel and love that he promotes autism awareness and called out David Benavides as that’d be a mouth-watering scrap.
I’m surprised that Tank was up on the cards. Garcia was pressing and his jab was landing (at least occasionally). Even the 2nd round had ab asterisk for me…Davis lost every second of the round until he landed one counter. Only the first round was easy to score. The rest was debatable (note: 2nd round was debatable as a 10 to 8, because it was just a flash knockdown. )
My main point is Davis better hope he continues landing his Sunday punch, because 30 punches with 6 or 7 landing will not cut it.
Can’t train heart, go out on your shield or find another sport
Garcia has no heart, he played it too safe, he could have gotten up and clinched but he doesn’t have a fighters heart, so much for all that talk. Boxing should outlaw catch weights it’s a cowards way out and team coward Davis took the easy way out just like team Gayweather.!!!
Garcia could’ve fought at 135 with no catch weight, why would Tank go to 140 with no title on the line he’s the A-side it has to make sense. They already explained this, if Ryan had a title at 140 they would’ve fought at 140!!!
Then don’t take the fight.
You mean like Pacquiao and Canelo too
If Garcia had fought someone his size, there would be no need for a catch weight. De la Cross, made Hopkins, a big middle, come down to 156 catchweight, a still got smoked with guess what? (a body shot).
Got to give queenry a little credit! He lasted wayyy longer than expected, he wasn’t ready gor the big leaguers! I hope he doesn’t go into a mental breakdown/depression like he did a few years back and dissapear from boxing for the next 2 years or so! This loss is big for his ego! I doubt he’ll rebound from this one.
Not sure about all the hate here for Garcia but it was a tight contest with Davis slightly ahead but what was all the holding about from Tank early on? I was thinking gamesmanship as the bodyshot came from Davis putting his head down so low that the solar plexus shot became an easy target. Both are top fighters though and hope to see them go against each other again in the future.
top fighters – are you kidding—- study boxing history – one can name at least 500 fighters better than these two….seems like you cannot differentiate between what boxing has become – entertainment vs the sport- you do not play boxing – they and their promoters all played people like you with entertainment not a fight
If you can’t tell a top fighter from an average one, then maybe you are the one that needs to study more. Ask both fighters previous opponents what they think instead of acting like you know shit! Also of course boxing is entertainment.! Chango by name, Chango by nature.
Tank for sure showed he’s top. Garcia I think is short of it.
I wanted Ryan to win but he quit. He don’t gave that Dawg in him. He made a business decision about the count of 7. Hate to say it but it’s the truth. I hate to say that about about any fighter
it probably was in his best interest to take that knee, better than being knock out cold, and if he would have been knocked out , then same ppl would say, he should have stayed down with that knee
I knew Tank would win by KO, after he got his timing and distance right, but didn’t think it would be by a body shot. Kudos to Tank. That shot was right on the money. Such a great fighter, and he deserves respect. Pretty boy Garcia just not in Tank’s class. Tank proved that Garcia is overhyped and overrated.
Also, Garcia being torched by Tank means that once again Oscar De La Hoya loses to Floyd Mayweather. Pitting Garcia against Tank was Oscar’s latest attempt to best Floyd and he failed again. Kudos to Floyd. Tonight, it was substance and true talent over fluff and hype.
Easy to predict a body shot stoppage in this fight. Shorter fighter vs taller slender fighter in Garcia.. that’s what happens when you drain a fighter at a catch weight and restrict them from rehydrating overnight. You start slow.. take them into deep water.. and go to the body. It’ll take them out. No steam in their punches, weak chin and body. That’s how Canelo knocked out kovalev.. because of weight restrictions you can’t take a punch. I’m surprised they negotiated those terrible stipulations. Not saying Davis wouldn’t had won anyway but maybe not in that fashion.. Ryan’s skills are not that impressive anyway but he had less to you offer with those conditions. Tank already had him before the fight began outside the ring. It’s science.. Floyd never restricted his weight as a B side. They’re not that stupid
Was hoping Garcia would win but he punked out. Wonder if he will blame it on mental health or what excuse he will end up with. I just hope this doesnt happen to Tim Tszyu when he gets his big fight.
Although I was rooting for Ryan, exactly what happened is what I expected to happen. However, I didn’t see Ryan quitting like that. He should have tried to get and fight through, the lack of heart and mental fortitude have me feeling highly suspect of his future in this sport at the moment.
Completely aside from the fight and it’s outcome, catch weights should be banned.
And rehydration clauses as well.
The IBF mandatory rehydration limits. 10 lbs.
No embarrassment losing this fight as far as Garcia is concerned. He did though, look like “Eskeleto” in this fight so a move to 140 must surely be the way to go
These “weight / rehydration stipulations actually began with Sugar Ray Leonard vs Donny LaLonde if memory serves. LaLonde, a pretty big light heavyweight, had to come in at no more than 168 on fight night for the WBC Super Middleweight Title
I think the respective athletic commissions need to step in and stop the above stipulations. You either fight or you don’t
Must give credit to Gervonta Davis on the win and credit to both lads for taking the risk ( record / marketability should they lose ) for taking the fight
fight – what were you watching Ian- this was simply entertainment – nothing more nothing less….it was a soap opera that people are duped into paying for….
I’m not 100 sure but I want to say back then all sanctioning bodies were still doing same day weigh ins. To those crying about about rehydration clauses and catch weights if the old school guys did same day weigh ins why act like it’s criminal if they agreed to it.
Tank is a sneaky puncher and you just can’t go wild attacking him. He waits for an opening and places his punches with a great deal of force and accuracy. Garcia was attacking aggressively in the second round and over-extended on a miss leaving himself open for a counter left.
The knockdown made Garcia a lot more cautious after that and Davis was controlling the action most of the rounds. Garcia had his moments but he didn’t have the same confidence he had before the knockdown.
What I didn’t like was all the holding by Tank. He was hanging on tightly to Ryan while under fire and had to be pried loose by referee Taylor.
Great victory by Tank. He dips so low on defense, so he has the leverage to come up with shots that can hurt his opponent. That liver shot didn’t look that hard, but it was in a perfect spot and Garcia just lost his ability to respond. He’ll be back but now he’ll have to take a back seat while Tank goes on to bigger fights.
Garcia is going to start talking about mental health now. Watch. Never again will I favor Garcia. He quit.
mental health or religion – the guy is a complete fake…did you see him try to make the sign of the cross – he does not even know how to do it…..he has low class parents who created him and bred him this way
My wife has hit me with harder body shots than that! Maybe Ryan should transition and fight as a woman.
not a bad idea…..but as you can tell by the proportion of dislikes many people still believe in this charlatan
Is your wife a man?
Apparently and he also seems to have taken a body shot from tank…
All these folks on here complaining about catch weights. Just say ya boy lost. Game over. They could have fought at 150 and Tank wins.
It was a high liver shot but still a liver shot. It landed when his torso was twisted and stretched and with good timing. Would of hurt like F. However given how delayed the knockdown was and how quickly he got up at the count of 10 suggests that it was not an involuntary response. Also Ryan’s game plan seemed to be to rough tank up and press forward with activity but that went out the window after getting caught. After that moment tank was never going to lose and too be honest it was pretty obvious he was setting him up for the left hand from the opening bell.
look at it again and again……he quit
James here again…. I was wrong. Tanks power changed everything.
Carlos, where you at; with your disdain for the African-American boxer? Gods greatest creation of fighters ever assembled. We’re like 125 wins and 50 losses against y’all all time in these type of fights! Your boy lost to a midget…hahaha. Wakanda Forever!
@DMV, I’ve been looking for racist Carlos as well! He had all of the hate and racism last week. Nowhere to be found after being so completely wrong! He was ranting uncontrollably. He’s so BUTTHURT today !
Tank’s experience and boxing IQ showed in this fight! First round, Ryan got that one! The thing I noticed though after the first round, was that Calvin Ford told Tank to stop Garcia’s jab. After the first knockdown, Tank began pawing his right jab to nullify Garcia’s jab and it worked very well. Ryan was far less active due to fear ( Tank power definitely affected Ryan’s mental strength) and Tank nullifying Garcia’s left jab. Also, the body punching by Tank was great and ultimately broke Garcia ( physically and mentally).Ryan have the physical gifts and youth on his side. I hope he truly learn from this and strive in his career. Tank continue to be legendary!!
Excellent points.
QuickHands, the thing is Ryan seems to be mentally defeated. It’s going to be tough to overcome that.
This was typical of a Davis fight, Tank’s ring IQ is on the same level as Crawford. Take a few rounds to gather data, devise a plan and execute. Garcia didn’t want any of what Davis has touched him with in the 2nd, from that point on Ryan was a different fighter… I described this fight as edgy, just waiting for the moment that would end the show… Garcia could have beaten the count, but he know what was coming…
I was impressed by his movement and ring IQ. That’s what makes me think he’d beat Everton near that weight. Smart, tactical fighter with one punch power.
I see there is another Pete on here. This is my 1st comment on this fight. I think Garcia showed courage by taking this fight. However being able to respond when a puncher like Tank hurts you is another level of resilience that most of us do not have. Garcia does not have it. It is nothing to be ashamed of. He is a talented fighter and can beat fighters at a good level. Good news for him is that most fighters do not hit like Tank so if he wants to continue and beat up other Golden Boy fighters like Jo Jo Diaz and Gesta he still can. But he should stay clear of guys like Regis Prograis or Subriel Matias. I do not think he will fight much longer though. He has reached his level and we all know it. The money therefore will not be the same. I say he picks a couple of hand picked guys to go out a winner and live a nice life. At least he can say he had the stones to get in there. He may not be Evander Holyfield but no one should be calling him a coward either.
Pete, well said. I’m not a fan of Garcia but he has what I don’t have, and that’s the pair to go in there and take punches.
josh taylor vs ryan garcia would be a competive fight at super lightweight at 140pds including Alberto Puello, ryan can still make some good money, considering his rock style status.
He could fight the winner of Kambosis VS Hughes as well. Neither of those guys have a high KO %. A Kambosis fight could be a lot of fun. As for Davis I would ove to see him fight Prograis or Matias. I think Haney will beat Lomo and then fight Stevenson so those guys are tied up for awhile, Even if Loma wins…Stevenson being with Top Rank likely gets the winner,
There was the Hopkins/ Oscar fight 20 years ago, the most famous that I can remember and Hatton did it to, I think, Castillo.
That’s right. Castillo. I was trying to remember and his name crossed my mind. But…in that fight he owed corrales a lot of money and it also looked like he could’ve not go down. It seemed as if he just wanted to fulfill his financial obligations and move on.
Garcia was exposed. He is flatfooted and tentative and looks tense.
Imagine if PACMAN agreed to fight Garcia when Garcia calls the PACMAN out.
I was wrong, I was rooting for Ryan Garcia. it seems to me that he could continue, but only him knew how hurt he was.
Congrats to Tank Davis.
I get I wasn’t in the ring, but Jesus a fight of this magnitude for this much money and he cant fight through a
body-shot? An insult to all those guys that fought l through closed eyes broken hands etc…….
Yeah, at least try to get up. And if he doesn’t want to continue at least pretend a little.
kingry? LMFAO! COME TF ON!!!!!
I figured Tank’s experience having fought about 7 good fighters and much more often the last 3-4 years would give him the edge. He just does has a large arsenal of tricks and fundamentals. Ryan is fairly easy for elite fighters to “trap”, and he goes for the bait to his detriment.
I only predicted that Tank would win, and that there would be a knockdown, wasn’t sure if Ryan would survive or not. He has guts, and a good attitude. I can see why Ryan is so likeable to many however his record now has him getting knocked down in his first tough fight giving Luke Campbell a 4th loss which spawned retirement (having more to do with Luke than Ryan) so after becoming a contender (nothing more nothing less) too many people were still acting like he is such a great. 3-5 years ago we talked about 135 having so much talent. And Ryan I felt was the most overhyped. Devin Haney was the guy I thought would be the solid future King if Loma had not lost, but who knows what would occur should Devin eventually fight Gervonta or Shakur.
This fight was just to separate the wheat from the chaff.
This was really a poor matchmaking decision by Garcia’s people. He’s 24, and he still has A LOT to learn. It was apparent in this fight that he was not mature enough boxing wise or otherwise for this fight. And that’s not a knock on him… he’s still very young and needed more seasoning for a fight like this.
This is the sort of thing that can really derail a fighter’s progress and confidence. Plus it was really unnecessary. He could have made a lot of money while being slowly built up.
I hope he can come back better from this fight.
Viva black excellence.
People that are saying Garcia quit have either never been hit by that kind of liver shot or are just haters who have big balls from their couches. And when it’s Tank Davis delivering that shot to the ribs, there’s just no getting up from that. It wasn’t the most exciting fight but it was a dramatic, highly-charged event. $85 was a lot to pay for this event but it was a solid card nonetheless.