Ryan Garcia’s Critique of Gervonta Davis
Ryan Garcia, a prominent figure in the boxing world, has expressed his frustration and disappointment regarding Gervonta Davis’ performance in his recent bout against Lamont Roach. The fight, which took place in Brooklyn on a Saturday night, ended in a 12-round majority draw, leaving many fans and critics questioning the outcome. Garcia, who is known for his outspoken nature, believes that Davis’ lack of focus and mental preparation played a significant role in his underwhelming performance.
The Retirement Factor
Garcia argues that Davis’ decision to retire in three fights significantly affected his mindset and, consequently, his performance in the ring. "That’s what happens when you have one foot in one foot out [into retirement] before stepping into the ring," Garcia told iFL TV. He believes that to reach the necessary level of intensity, especially against a motivated opponent, a fighter must be fully committed. According to Garcia, Davis’ partial commitment to retirement led to a moment in the fight where he needed to step up but couldn’t. This sentiment resonates with many boxing enthusiasts who felt Davis was not giving his all during the match.
Chosen Opponent and Strategy
Davis chose Roach, a fighter from the 135-lb super featherweight division, rather than a more formidable opponent from his own weight class. This selection was perceived by fans as Davis embarking on a "retirement tour," where he picks easier opponents to avoid losses. Garcia, however, points out that even against a less experienced fighter, Davis would have faced challenges. Roach’s strategy of outworking Davis, who is known for his sporadic fighting style, proved to be effective. Roach’s smart approach and thorough study of Davis’ previous fights allowed him to capitalize on Davis’ lack of consistent engagement.
The Knockdown Controversy
One of the most contentious moments of the fight occurred in the ninth round when Davis took a knee, citing hair grease in his eyes as the reason. Garcia is adamant that this should have been ruled a knockdown. "100% that should have been ruled a knockdown [in the ninth]. I like Tank Davis, but these are the rules. You can’t take a knee like that," Garcia stated. He believes that allowing such a maneuver without penalizing the fighter sets a dangerous precedent. It encourages other boxers to take a knee whenever they feel something is bothering them, whether it’s a minor injury or a technical issue, to regain their composure and momentum.
Technical Issues and Replays
Garcia also addressed the claim that technical issues prevented the New York Commission from reviewing the no-call in the ninth round. He is skeptical of this explanation, pointing out that the replay was shown in the arena, negating any argument about technical difficulties. "There’s no way in hell they had technical issues. They showed the replay in the arena. There’s no way they had technical issues," Garcia insisted. This critique highlights the importance of clear and consistent rule enforcement in boxing, where the smallest advantage can make a significant difference in the outcome of a fight.
The Broader Impact
The controversy surrounding Davis’ performance and the ninth-round incident extends beyond the immediate match. Garcia believes that the leniency shown by the officials will have a broader impact on the sport. "I think that they need to do something about it because it gives incentive to other boxers, ‘I’m going to take a knee whenever something is bothering me. I hurt my hand a little bit. I hurt my elbow a little bit.’ Make some s up and go back to fighting. When you kill the other guy’s momentum, go back and fight. They need to do something or you’ll have a lot of boxers do some weird s," he warned. This statement underscores the potential for manipulation and unfair advantages in future fights if such incidents are not properly addressed.
The Future of Boxing
Garcia’s comments reflect a broader concern within the boxing community about maintaining the integrity of the sport. As a rising star in the lightweight division, Garcia’s insights carry weight, especially when it comes to the behavior of fighters and the role of officials. The Gervonta Davis vs. Lamont Roach fight serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the need for fighters to remain fully committed and for officials to enforce the rules consistently. Garcia’s candid assessment and call for action are a testament to his dedication to the sport and his commitment to seeing it thrive.
