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Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia
Los Angeles Press Conference
Photos: Marlene Marquez
Undefeated boxing superstars Gervonta “Tank” Davis and
“King” Ryan Garcia squared off for the second straight day
on Thursday, this time in Los Angeles as they completed
back-to-back, coast-to-coast press conferences to preview
their highly anticipated 12-round showdown that headlines a
SHOWTIME PPV production on Saturday, April 22 in a Premier
Boxing Champions event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Davis vs. Garcia is promoted by GTD Promotions, TGB
Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
Pre-sale tickets are available NOW until 10 p.m. PT today
with the code: BOXING
After an animated face off at Wednesday’s event in New York,
Davis and Garcia got up close and personal again on Thursday
in Los Angeles, exchanging heated words and more, with Davis
playfully throwing a left hook that whizzed inches from
Garcia’s chin and Garcia shadowboxing in close proximity to
Davis during the ceremonial stare down. Here is what the
press conference participants had to say from The Beverly
Hilton:
GERVONTA DAVIS
“Come April 22, I’m gonna walk you to the deep waters and
I’m gonna drown you. They gonna have to pick you up. I
promise you that.
“This guy keeps talking about how he’s gonna hit me with a
hook, but he doesn’t have anything else but a hook. What
else have you got? He’s not a complete fighter.
“When you’re a complete fighter, you can do everything. You
can’t just depend on one punch. What happens when that punch
doesn’t work? You have to rely on something else.
“I feel as though I’m already that top guy in the sport.
This fight is just about me getting over the hump.
“This is gonna be an explosive fight. If you don’t watch
boxing, this is the fight to watch for sure. If you can get
there, make sure you’re there. If you can’t be there, buy
the pay-per-view. Because this is gonna be a good one for
me.
“He’s putting on a front for the people. That’s what I see.
I see a guy who’s an act. That’s what it is.
“Didn’t Ryan get caught by Luke Campbell? Do I hit way
harder than Luke Campbell? Yes or no?
“I’ve put a lot of guys to sleep and Ryan is next.”
RYAN GARCIA
“I’m here to win and I promise you that I have heart and
determination like you’ve never seen before. ‘Tank’ likes to
fight guys that don’t hit hard, but I hit hard. When I hit
you with that left hook, you’re gonna be on the floor.
Asleep. Good night.
“This is such a big event, but I know that I’m coming out on
top. It’s one thing to get to the moment, but it’s another
to conquer the moment. So I’m not just happy that we’re
here, now I’m focused on winning.
“I’m just going to let him think what he thinks. If he
thinks all I have is the left hook, then he’s going to run
into other shots and be confused. If he had watched any of
my fights he’d know what else I have.
“He’s going to try to walk me down, but when he feels shots
like this, he’s not going to want to do that. I’m going to
hit him to the body and take the aggression out of him. I
have a lot of ways to stop him.
“I’m not here to lie, he’s ready to fight. He wants to bring
it. He doesn’t look scared, but I’m ready to fight too. We
both have fire in our eyes.
“Don’t be mad that my left hook is blessed. Maybe that’s all
I need. Maybe that’s all it’s gonna take.
“Nobody else could put together this type of event. Whoever
wins this is on top. Whoever wins is the face of boxing and
I truly believe that.
“I’m gonna beat him and I’m gonna knock him out. See you on
April 22.”
CALVIN FORD, Davis’ Trainer
“We have two of the best young undefeated guys going at it
April 22. You have to be in front of the TV or there in
person. They’re going to put on a show.
“Everyone knows what ‘Tank’ is gonna do, because he does it
for the fans. You haven’t seen the best of Gervonta Davis
yet. Is Ryan ready to bring it out of him?
“These two guys are showing you how boxing is supposed to
be. The young ones are coming and this is the start right
here.”
JOE GOOSSEN, Garcia’s Trainer
“These are two great guys and they’re going to have it out
on April 22. These guys both have an unusual level of
talent. I’ve trained a lot of guys over the decades, and
Ryan Garcia is one of the most unique individuals I’ve
trained, in many ways. He’s one of the most dynamic guys
I’ve ever worked with in terms of speed, power, ring IQ,
determination and courage.
“This is going to be a great fight. I think both camps
realize that each of these guys are at the top of their game
and they’re going to put on a great show for the fans. I
can’t wait until it’s time to get into the ring and see
who’s the best in the world.”
TOM BROWN, President of TGB Promotions
“I want to thank everyone who came together to make this
fight happen, and we all know who really made this fight
happen, and that’s ‘Tank’ and Ryan. We have a hell of a show
and we can’t wait to see ‘Tank’ and Ryan do their thing in
the ring on April 22.”
LEONARD ELLERBE, Boxing Promoter
“This is a monster event on April 22. This is must-see. If
you can’t be in attendance, be sure to tune in on
pay-per-view, because I guarantee you from round one on,
it’s going to be nothing but fireworks. This one is ending
in a knockout.”
OSCAR DE LA HOYA, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions
“This is where legacies start for both fighters. Both
fighters are facing someone who’s undefeated and someone
who’s at the peak of their career. This is a whole new level
and a whole new experience coming out to that ring fighting
somebody undefeated with your skill level and your will and
your determination. This is what boxing is all about.
“I want to thank Ryan Garcia for wanting this fight for
years. Boxing is alive, and the winner will be the face of
the sport. So may the best man win.”
BERNARD HOPKINS, Golden Boy Promotions Partner
“This fight reminds me of the big fights we had in the 80’s
and early 90’s. I come from a city called Philadelphia and
this is what we do and who we like.”
“Around the world, the fans have been craving this fight. So
tell all your friends, even the ones you don’t like, to
watch this fight.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA, President, SHOWTIME SPORTS
“These are the types of days and events that remind us all
why we got into this sport and why we are fans of this
sport.
“I guarantee you with all the experience and all the events
these guys on this stage have been through, including
myself, each one of us has goosebumps right now because of
the energy and adrenaline of nights like this. This is
something that only boxing can provide.
“This is a throwback fight. It’s a fight and a rivalry as
big as any in this sport. This is exactly the kind of fight
that reflects the best that this sport has to offer: two
young fighters in their prime, who are the two most exciting
young fighters in the sport.
“Outside of the ring, the stories are even better. As
different as these two fighters are physically, their
personalities and their styles, they are very alike in one
way. What these two young men have overcome, the obstacles
they have conquered is the stuff of Hollywood movies.
“Mike Tyson once said, ‘You never lose until you give up.’
Giving up is the one thing that neither of these two
fighters have done. That’s why I know April 22 will be a
classic fight, because these two superstar fighters are
willing to take that challenge.”
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