In what was billed as one of the biggest fights in recent years, Gervonta Davis defeated Ryan Garcia with a sneaky left hook to the body in the seventh round at the T-Mobile Arena. The fight lived up to the hype as both fighters landed big shots, and Garcia was down twice, but it was Davis who remained undefeated and showcased why he is one of boxing’s most transcendent boxers. The win could make Davis a transcendent crossover star that the sport desperately needs.
The Event
The event had a celebrity-laden audience, including NFL stars, boxing legends, movie stars, musicians, and other A-listers. NFL stars like Kansas City’s Travis Kelce, Los Angeles Raiders’ edge rusher Maxx Crosby, and Dallas Cowboys’ star Micah Parsons were present. Parsons described the atmosphere as “amazing,” and the event drew so many stars across multiple sports, showcasing the drawing power that Davis and Garcia both have.
Davis’ Rise to Boxing Stardom
Ever since Davis appeared on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight in 2017, it was clear that the wheels were in motion for Davis to take Mayweather’s spot atop the sport. Davis, who is now 29-0 with 27 knockouts, has a strong case as boxing’s biggest box-office attraction, along with the likes of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and undisputed super middleweight champ Canelo Alvarez, both mainstays on ESPN’s pound-for-pound boxing list.
However, as is the case with Davis, the only person seemingly capable of dampening his star power is himself. In 2017, he was stripped of the IBF’s junior lightweight title for missing weight, and he has faced multiple criminal cases. In February, he pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run case in Feb. 2020, in which he’ll be sentenced on May 5. There’s also a battery case in Florida that is currently pending. Davis has pleaded not guilty, according to Broward County court records.
The Future for Davis
Davis’ abilities have been lauded for years, but his recent win over Garcia has made him more than just one of boxing’s best. The win has solidified his case to command the bulk of the money in future matchups. In any matchup at this point, Davis is the “A” side, and his opponents might be other standouts like Shakur Stevenson or the winner of Devin Haney-Vasiliy Lomachenko.
To conclude, Davis’ victory over Garcia has established him as boxing’s newest crossover star. Despite a few setbacks outside the ring, Davis’ potential to command huge pay-per-view numbers and be a massive draw in the sport is undeniable.
Leave a Reply