Despite what people thought, Ryan Garcia both literally and figuratively defied the odds to put Devin Haney on the ground. However, does this massive win over his career rival qualify him to face perhaps the biggest challenge of his professional career? Well, after his win over Haney, he called out Gervonta Davis for a rematch under one condition. Responding to a possible second fight between the two, Canelo Álvarez had his say.
Despite winning the early rounds, Gervonta Davis finished Garcia via body shot in the seventh round of their fight in April last year. The Victorville native even had to take a knee to prevent further damage. However, with his performance against Haney, Garcia proved a fight with Davis at a higher weight limit and, without a rehydration clause, would look different. Canelo Alvarez shared his thoughts on the rematch and even picked his favorite when asked about it in an interview with iFL TV recently.
After his grand arrival at MGM Grand Resort & Casino in Las Vegas ahead of the Cinco de Mayo weekend fight against Jaime Munguia, a bunch of reporters surrounded the Mexican superstar for answers to a variety of questions. However, one stood out from the others. Having praised Garcia’s win over Haney, Alvarez turned to the future.
As he was trying to move away from the crowd of reporters, one reporter threw in the Gervonta-Davis rematch question. He quickly turned around and said, “It will be good!.” Moreover, he thinks Garcia will win this time around. Alvarez added, “If Garcia and Davis were to step back into the ring, I have full confidence that Garcia could come out on top.”
Last year in April Gervonta Davis dropped Garcia twice with the second knockdown coming in the form of a body shot that ended the bout in round seven. This marked Garcia’s first career defeat, which he is eager to avenge. Notably, for that fight, Garcia had agreed to compete at a catchweight of 136lbs and also signed off on a 10lbs rehydration clause which he later said left him drained.
After his stunning win over Haney, Garcia issued a challenge to “Tank” under one condition. Garcia tweeted, “Everyone wanna talk about the little Stupid tank,” Let’s fight, [enough] of that funny talk. Come see me at 144[lbs] and [let’s] stop the talk.” It seems Garcia is clear about the fighting stipulation this time.
Adding to his earlier tweet, ”KingRy” added, “If you beat frank let’s run it @Gervontaa,” Garcia added in another tweet. “I won’t throw [my] left hook,” in another tweet. Davis is scheduled to face Frank Martin on 15 June for the lightweight title in Las Vegas.
Regardless, while appearing in the PBD podcast with Patrick Bet David recently, Garcia revealed it’s unlikely the fight would happen, even though he desperately wants it. Garcia claimed Davis didn’t want it. Garcia insists he will never fight at super-lightweight again and Davis has never fought above super-lightweight.
If the fight doesn’t happen, Garcia won’t be short of options in front of him, including Isaac Cruz, Jaron Ennis, and more. However, one other fighter has expressed interest in facing Garcia.
Last year, before Garcia was about to fight Oscar Duarte, Teofimo Lopez revealed in an interview that he was offered a deal to fight Ryan Garcia, but he declined the offer because the money wasn’t enough. However, as Garcia defeated Haney recently, ‘The Takeover’ seems to have changed his mind.
Speaking to Punsh Drunk Boxing, Lopez said, “We could do something in September, December. You know? It doesn’t necessarily have to be at my weight class. It could be a catchweight. So, that way, we don’t have to have any problems moving forward.” If this fight becomes real, it has the potential to be another crowd-pleaser for Garcia.
