After a slow start, lightweight superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis (28-0, 26 KOs) relied on his trademark power to force 130-pound titleholder Hector Luis Garcia (16-1, 10 KOs) into submission on Saturday inside Capital One Arena, in the final step before a proposed April showdown with fellow unbeaten Ryan Garcia.
“God willing, I’m ready for the fight,” Davis said. “It’s scheduled for April and I’m here. On my end, I’m ready. I’ll take a week off and I’ll be back [in the gym] for sure.”
Davis, a native of nearby Baltimore, kept his poise and focus despite a tumultuous training camp that saw the 28-year-old spend a night in prison the week before the fight following a misdemeanor arrest for domestic assault.
Garcia, a 31-year-old who boxed for his native Dominican Republic at the 2016 Olympics, relied on his technique and length to force the shorter Davis to take his time in the early going. But the action picked up considerably in Round 4 as the pair of southpaws traded big shots at close range.
The action continued until Round 8 when a fight in the first two rows of the crowd caused a bizarre halt to the action as ringside security sorted things out. When the fight restarted, Davis began to walk Garcia down with big left hands and appeared to briefly buckle him before the end of the round.
Garcia, who complained to his corner after the round that he couldn’t see, was unable to answer the bell for the start of Round 9, giving Davis the TKO victory to retain his secondary WBA lightweight title.
“I was a little surprised but when I caught him, I knew that he was hurt and that he was hurt bad,” Davis said. “He’s a fighter and I know he didn’t want to show it but he was hurt.”
The official time of the stoppage was 13 seconds into Round 9 with Davis ahead 78-73, 78-73, and 78-74 on the judges’ scorecards.
“When I got the shots to the head in the final round, I couldn’t see anymore,” Garcia said.
Despite a game effort from Garcia, who operated within punching range throughout and was willing to trade shots with a bigger puncher, Davis outlined his foe by a margin of 99 to 55, according to ShoStats. Davis also landed an incredible 53% of his power punches.
“I feel as though I have the stuff to work on,” Davis said. “I’m a fighter and I’m not retired so my cup is never full. I’m always willing to learn.
“[I struggled] a little bit because I don’t fight southpaws that often but it’s OK because that’s part of the game.”
Garcia had enjoyed a breakout in 2022, handing the first defeat to Chris Colbert before capturing the WBA 130-pound title over Roger Gutierrez to become a dark horse in the fighter of the year conversation.
After the fight, Davis admitted the only opponent who has the chance to defeat him is himself.
“[I need to] bring my people in close and listen to my close ones and listen to [adviser] Al Haymon and just stay focused,” Davis said. “There are a lot of bumps in the road but as long as we stay focused together, that’s how I will make longevity in this sport.”
CBS Sports was with you throughout the entire way on Saturday with the live results and highlights below.
Fight card, results
- Gervonta Davis def. Hector Luis Garcia via ninth-round TKO
- Jaron Ennis def. Karen Chukhadzhian via unanimous decision (120-108, 120-108, 120-108)
- Roiman Villa def. Rashidi Ellis via majority decision (114-112, 114-112, 113-113)
- Demetrius Andrade def. Demond Nicholson via unanimous decision (100-88, 100-88, 100-88)
Davis vs. Garcia scorecard, live coverage
| Davis |
10 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
TKO |
|
|
|
77 |
| Garcia |
9 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
9 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
75 |
Garcia repeatedly told his corner “I can’t see” in between rounds and the fight is over! Davis does it again, having some rocky moments before scoring the fight-ending shot.
Official result: Gervonta Davis def. Hector Luis Garcia via TKO, Round 8 (3:00)
Gervonta Davis vs. Hector Luis Garcia — Round 8: Garcia landed a short uppercut and then a good left hand upstairs. Garcia then landed a nice flurry and a fight broke out in the crowd, which led both fighters to stop fighting and the referee to call a time out. After the situation was under control, the fight resumed and Garcia came out strong with a good combination. Garcia ate a big shot from Davis. Davis then landed a straight followed by a jab. Garcia went back downstairs and then Davis landed a big combination with a hard left hand. Garcia returned fire but a Garcia left stunned Garcia badly in the final moments of the round. Garcia managed to get to the end of the round without going down. Huge moment for Davis. Garcia looks out of it in his corner.
Gervonta Davis vs. Hector Luis Garcia — Round 7: Garcia landed some good shots from his lead right hand but then both men started to sit down on their shots and trade power. Garcia has remained committed to working the body, making that a staple of his attack. Davis landed a good right hand and started to charge forward trying to land a fight-changing shot. Garcia landed a jab but Davis kept trying to wing power his way.
