Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia, again. But in 2024. Things haven’t changed drastically since last April, when ‘KingRy’ took a knee and never got up. There have been rematch talks, but those never got the full swing. What if they roll it back later this year? Would you splash the cash to see them exchanging blows once more? There are enough ifs that might spell disaster for the probable rematch and your pocket.
READ MORE ;Gervonta Davis destroyed punch machine challenge and beat scores set by Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder
What do you need for a thrilling rematch? Unfinished business, the right money, a perfect time to schedule the fight, and the hype from fans. Even if one is missing, you could guess the outcome of the mega-event. It seems Davis vs. Garcia is headed the same way if the fight is made and might be a fader event to their first match, which sold 1.1 million PPVs and collected $22.8 million in revenue.
Since ‘Tank’ put Garcia, 25, on the canvas last year, he has been away from the boxing ring. It will be almost 14 months when, and if, he unloads those heavy punches against the rumored Frank Martin in June. Meanwhile, Garcia made some hard calls, made a switch, returned to the winner’s column against Oscar Duarte, and now stands close to realizing his championship dream against Devin Haney.
RELATED ;EXCLUSIVE: Carlos Takam Picks Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta Davis as the Face of Boxing
So what’s the holdup? Well, both are spearheading their careers in different divisions now. Davis, at 29-0, is living a champion’s life at 135 and feels comfortable where he belongs. On the other hand, Garcia, at 24-1, is already eyeing a future at 140 pounds and might be unwilling to come to Davis’ terms of catchweight and rehydration clause. He believes he paid the price for accepting terms favorable to Davis. So, he will be reluctant to rush recklessly into the opportunity to avenge his defeat.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72221149/0042_Gervonta_Davis_vs_Ryan_Garcia.0.jpeg)
Moreover, when both make a call on their rematch, the lightweight division’s landscape will appear different. Either both Americans will stand tall as champions and create an organic demand for the rematch, or one will have to kick-start his career after a defeat and the demand for a rematch dies off. That’s not it. The fans don’t want to relive the short, lopsided fight of 2023.
The punctured buzz and no wave of excitement
The way Garcia went down when Davis landed heavy body blows was disheartening for the fans. They wanted a competitive fight with high-paced action. But in return, they had a one-sided affair. There is neither some unfinished business nor some controversy that could warrant a rematch.
What happens when Garcia loses the bout against ‘The Dream’? That would pose a serious doubt about his status as a top fighter. He can’t afford to walk the same route he did after he lost the fight with Davis. What if Davis runs into trouble with the authorities and again spends time behind bars? That would start to shake fan’s faith in him as the epitome of the American dream. Then there is the question of the right pay, which could persuade both Davis and Garcia to meet somewhere in between.
