The Frustration of Inconsistency
Ryan Garcia took to social media to vent his frustration over the New York State Athletic Commission’s (NYSAC) handling of the recent fight between himself and Gervonta "Tank" Davis. The fight, which took place last Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, saw a controversial moment in the ninth round when Davis appeared to take a knee after being hit by a jab from Roach. Despite what many fans and Garcia himself saw as a clear knockdown, the referee, Steve Willis, ruled it as a no call. This decision has sparked a heated debate and left Garcia bewildered, given his own experience with the Commission.
A Contrast in Rulings
Garcia’s ire is particularly directed at the NYSAC’s decision to overturn his victory over Devin Haney on April 20th of last year. The Commission ruled the bout a no contest after Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, a banned performance-enhancing drug (PED). While Garcia concedes the drug issue was a significant infraction, he cannot help but feel that the Commission’s inconsistency is glaring. Why, he wonders, did they reverse a decision in his case but fail to do the same for what he perceives as a clear mistake by the referee in the Davis fight?
The Financial Impact
The ramifications of the no call are not just about the fight itself but also the financial stakes involved. Garcia, who has a 25-1-2 record with 10 knockouts, believes that had the knockdown been correctly ruled, he would have won the bout and secured the WBA 140-lb championship. This title would have opened doors for lucrative rematches and significant earnings. Instead, the missed call has cost him both the championship and the potential millions that come with it. The inconsistency, particularly in light of his own case, feels like a slap in the face.
A Plea for Integrity
In his social media posts, Garcia did not shy away from calling out the Commission directly. "What I’m wondering is if the commission only makes changes when you complain and cry like Haney or they actually care about the integrity of the sport!" he wrote. The tone reflects his deep-seated belief that the Commission’s decisions are not always made in the best interest of the sport’s integrity. He is questioning whether the authority only acts when there is significant public pressure or when high-profile fighters raise a fuss, rather than consistently applying the rules and standards of the sport.
Support for Roach, Criticism for the System
Garcia’s criticism is not aimed at Davis, a fighter he has respect for, but rather at the system that allows such inconsistencies. "I ain’t no hater either, I like tank I think he’s a great fighter he had an off night and Lamont fought great! Simple," he stated. This shows that Garcia can separate his personal and professional respect for Davis from his systemic concerns. He is tired of the seemingly arbitrary nature of decisions in boxing, which often feel skewed by external factors rather than a commitment to fairness and accuracy.
A Call for Change
The broader message Garcia is sending is a call for change and consistency within the sport. He points out that in his Haney fight, the referee seemed to favor Haney by not stopping the bout when it was clearly in favor of Garcia, and by not penalizing Haney for what Garcia describes as "holding on for dear life." These instances, combined with the recent no call in the Davis fight, highlight a pattern of perceived bias and inconsistency that undermines the credibility of boxing. Garcia’s open and passionate criticism reflects the frustration of many fighters and fans who want a more transparent and equitable sport.
