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Gervonta Davis vs. Hector Luis Garcia
Final Press Conference
Quotes
Boxing superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis and unbeaten world
champion Héctor Luis García went face to face Thursday and
exchanged shoves before cooler heads prevailed at the final
press conference before they meet for Davis’ WBA Lightweight
Title this Saturday, January 7 headlining a SHOWTIME PPV
from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in an event
presented by Premier Boxing Champions.
The press conference also featured face offs between
pay-per-view undercard fighters who step into the ring on
the telecast beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. In the
co-main event, unbeaten rising star Jaron “Boots” Ennis
duels IBF No. 4-rated welterweight Karen Chukhadzhian for
the vacant Interim IBF Welterweight Title, while undefeated
top welterweight contender Rashidi Ellis takes on the
hard-hitting Roiman Villa in a 12-round IBF Welterweight
Title Eliminator. Kicking off the pay-per-view, two-division
world champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade battles Demond
Nicholson in a 10-round super middleweight attraction.
The Baltimore-native Davis will return to fight in D.C. for
the first time since 2016, as he headlines a stacked
pay-per-view lineup against the dangerous and streaking
Héctor Luis García, needing a win to pave the way for the
recently announced blockbuster clash against unbeaten star
Ryan Garcia in the Spring of 2023.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday from Marriott
Marquis Washington, D.C.:
GERVONTA DAVIS
“We trained hard. He’s been saying some things that have
turned me up. You definitely don’t want to miss this one.
We’re going to make sure this is a tough fight for him.
Don’t get no popcorn during this fight. Keep your butt glued
to the seat. I promise you it’s gonna be fireworks.
“This is my job. I’ve been doing it since I was seven. I
know that a lot comes with it, but if I stop now, then I
wouldn’t have done what I came to do.
“D.C. has always been exciting when it comes to boxing.
There’s a lot of talent here that people sleep on. It’s a
boxing town and I’m excited to come back and be fighting
here. We used to have to get through D.C. to get to the
national level in the amateurs, so I always treated this
place like a second home.
“Garcia earned his spot in this fight for what he’s done
this past year. He’s been in good fights and beaten good
fighters. He’s not someone to sleep on. He’s a tough
opponent and this is going to prepare me for a Ryan Garcia
fight next.
“I just want to put on a great performance in front of a
nice crowd and show everyone that I’m one of the top guys.
“There’s been a lot of talk from other fighters in the
division. I’m putting them on notice with this fight and the
Ryan fight. I can’t get to Ryan unless I get past Héctor.
I’m showing everyone that I’m one of the elite guys.
“The last thing I want to say to Héctor is just, be ready.
I’ve had a great camp and I know that Héctor’s coming. Just
don’t make a lot of mistakes, because if you make too many,
it might be an early night.
“This is a stacked card. Saturday night, boxing wins. From
the first fight to my fight, you don’t wanna miss it.”
HÉCTOR LUIS GARCIA
“My camp could not have been better. My team is tireless,
and we work so hard. Everyone is going to see the results on
Saturday night.
“I feel equally comfortable at 130 and 135 pounds. I took
this challenge because I always want to surpass my own
limits and go after the very best. At the end of the day,
it’s up to me to be at my best on Saturday night.
“The bottom line for me is that I can fight at whatever
distance the fight requires me to. I can use my reach or my
power. I’m going to be ready.
“I think the back and forth we’ve had is normal and in good
fun. It brings more heat to the fight and it probably
motivates us both more.
“Gervonta better watch out on Saturday night. Because he lit
the competitive fire under me when he put his hands on me
during the face off.
“The real Garcia is right here. I don’t care who he’s
focused on, because I know that I’m the true challenge. Fans
are going to see a thrilling fight. It’s going to be a show
that everyone is gonna enjoy.”
JARON ENNIS
“This win can put me right in line for Errol Spence Jr. This
is a perfect time to make a big statement and I can’t wait.
“I’m looking to make a statement to the whole world. I’m
just focused on putting on a show, getting an explosive
knockout and then seeing what’s next.
“I’m on my ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. I don’t go in there looking
for the knockout, but if I see that opening, I’m definitely
taking it. I’m not afraid to get him out early. Everyone
knows I’m in and out like a robbery.
“I’m putting my own twist on Tyson. I picked up a few things
from watching Tyson, so this is gonna be a fun night. I’m
going to be explosive with it.
“My message to the world is just continue to watch me grow
and progress and make sure you don’t miss this knockout on
Saturday night. Philly is definitely gonna be in the
building.”
KAREN CHUKHADZHIAN
“Jaron is a very strong fighter, but we’ve trained very well
ourselves. I’ve worked with a lot of different fighters in
sparring and we have a good strategy. I’m here to fight and
win.
“This is my chance to prove myself to the U.S. public.
Everyone knows the biggest fights are here in the U.S. and I
plan to be back again.
“I’ve wanted an opportunity like this and I’m very motivated
finally being here in the U.S. I’m coming to win for
everybody rooting me on in Ukraine.
“I can’t get caught up with worrying too much about Ennis
and what he can do. I have great abilities and I trained
hard with only one goal in mind. That’s winning on Saturday
night.”
RASHIDI ELLIS
“I’m coming to take over the 147-pound division and show I’m
the big dog in this division. We’re always ready and
Saturday is no different.
“We’re going to see who’s top dog. Villa is in here talking
crazy, so I’m going to have to beat him down for it.
“Everybody knows what I want to do. I want the smoke. Give
me the best fighter available and I’m gonna get into that
ring.
“This is a great stage for me to display my talents. I know
that I’m the future of this division, I just need the
opponents in front of me that will let me show the whole
world.
“You could definitely say that is the biggest fight of my
career, but at the end of the day, I’m treating this like
another shift at the office. I’m coming to work.
“This is gonna be a great fight. He’s a strong, tough guy
who’s gonna come forward and try to hit me with a lucky
punch. If he wants to fight differently against me, then
I’ll be ready for that too.”
ROIMAN VILLA
“Talk is cheap. Whatever he wants to say, he’s entitled to
it. But I’m all about coming here to do my job and give the
fans the show that they want to see. You’ll see the action
in the ring on Saturday night.
“I’m no fortune teller. I’m just going to control what I can
control and let it be what it may be. I’m 100% ready for
this fight.
“I’m confident in my training. I’m much more prepared this
time than I was for last victory, so my belief is sky high.
If Ellis is underestimating me, he’s going to be in trouble.
“I come here to represent not just my country, but the whole
Latin community. We’re here to make them proud and that’s
what we’re going to do on Saturday night.
“I studied in school, I’m not here to study anybody. I’m
going to come after him and be aggressive. No matter what
happens, I’m going to be myself.
“I want to stay humble, but I want to see if that smile that
he’s got on his face right now will remain after Saturday
night.”
DEMETRIUS ANDRADE
“I’m just bringing even more talent to a stacked division.
We’re here to give the people what they’ve been looking for,
including all of the big fights.
“The message I’m sending is that the best fighters need to
fight each other. There’s nothing standing in the way
anymore. It’s time for us to get in the ring and make it
happen.
“Everyone says they’re coming to make a splash, but I prove
it every single time when I step into the ring. I’m going to
do what I always do and that’s win.
“I hope he brings the pressure. I’m ready for whatever. If
he says this fight isn’t going the distance, then I guess
he’s going down.”
DEMOND NICHOLSON
“My goal is to dominate and win whatever way possible. I’m
shooting for the moon. It’s my time now.
“I can’t be humble right now. There’s no time for
humbleness. Everyone is saying I’m a tune-up, but this is
the first fight I’ve been 100% healthy for.
“Everyone is going to see my skills. On January 7, my new
life and my career starts. I’m not worried about his
talking, I let my hands talk for me.
“He hasn’t fought me yet, so he can forget about Jermall
Charlo. He’s doing this thing where he’s talking about
facing other fighters, but he has to beat me first. I’ve got
a built up frustration about it. You’re never supposed to
look past the next man.
“I have to apply the pressure. Pressure bursts pipes. This
fight is not going the distance.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President, Sports & Event Programming,
Showtime Networks Inc.
“Gervonta Davis vs. Héctor Luis Garcia is the first big
boxing event of 2023 and the first of many high stakes
quality matchups we’re putting together on SHOWTIME. Davis
is taking a huge risk against a fighter like [Héctor Luis]
Garcia. He’s one of the hottest fighters in boxing and a
candidate for 2022 Fighter of the Year.
“This will be ‘Tank’s’ 13th time on SHOWTIME and fifth time
on pay-per-view, and by now we know what to expect. Every
time ‘Tank’ fights, he is must-see TV. He has sold out
arenas in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Baltimore and Brooklyn. His
last fight in May was the most attended combat sports event
at Barclays Center. If you look across boxing for fighters
with these kind of attendance numbers, you can count them on
one hand.
“From established veterans to some of the best young
fighters in the sport, this is a fantastic card from top to
bottom. Make sure you get there early, and we’ll see you
there.”
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