Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia tried to play nice with each other on Wednesday at the kick-off press conference for their £136 pay-per-view match on April 22 in Las Vegas.
They spoke respectfully and raised the stakes of the highly-anticipated bout between talented young boxers, who also have a large following on social media, which created a unusual echo. It is considered one of the biggest matches that can happen in the sport.
However, these are two extremely confident young men who are a bit insolent at times. And they couldn’t hold out for long.
Make an exchange during the official part of the press conference taking place at Palladium Times Square in New York City. Garcia was asked if he stood by the previous prediction that he would knock Davis out in two innings.
“I was asked to make a prediction and I made a prediction,” Garcia said. Then he seemed to back off a bit, saying, “I’ll be ready for 12. You have to respect a boxer who’s taking part….”
Davis interrupted. “You’re talking nonsense,” he said as he stepped forward so he could see Garcia on the other side of the podium.
“Someone has to promote it (the event),” Garcia replied, apparently directed at Davis, who was an hour and a half late to the press conference.
“It’s supposed to be like that. It’s great,” Davis said.
Davis was then asked what Garcia could expect on the night of the fight. He said: “One whistle, that’s what he’ll get.
Of course, that kind of trash talk was meant to sell the war. Both fighters more rationally explained in face-to-face interviews why they felt they were going to win.
Davis was asked what he and Garcia said to each other when they faced each other while forced to stare down, which went on for several minutes. He doesn’t want to sound arrogant but his message is clear: He doesn’t think Garcia has what it takes to beat him.
“He just said what he said, and I told him he wasn’t,” Davis said. “I don’t want to sound like a tough guy, but I know what’s going to happen. Some of them, they don’t understand. They are the forerunners. They play tough guys.
“They’re not really that much, they don’t have that dog in them.”
Both boxers are said to have unusual speed and strength. Some believe that Davis, who has more experience in big fights, may have the edge in terms of technical ability.
He was asked if he was a better boxer. He looked at the interviewer almost incredulously before answering.
“You know the answer,” he said. “No, I don’t think his skill-wise is on my level. Everything can change. I don’t want to be above everyone else. I still respect him as a fighter. … As a fighter, I don’t think he’s on the same level as me in terms of skill.”
Garcia was interviewed while he was waiting for Davis to appear.
And he was unkind to the former two-team president, questioning his professionalism and character for coming too late. After all, it’s a pay-per-view match. The fighters are expected to help generate buying power.
Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) also made it clear that he is something Davis (28-0.26 KOs) has never faced in the ring.
“From the very beginning, he gave you a breather like most people do,” he said. “… Then he started putting pressure on and hoping for great success. Now he’s facing a guy who won’t let off steam. Now it’s a war. If I hit you, it won’t feel good. You will not keep moving forward and taking chances.
“If I find a good shot, nine out of 10 times it will hurt him. If not, I’ll just outbox him. … You don’t see it that much because I knock everyone out but I will [box] if I had to.”
And so it will lead to the fight, a lot of cynicism to create interest in the event. The second of two press conferences is set for 1 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.
Real punches won’t be exchanged for another six weeks. We’ll learn a lot more about both men at that point.
“On April 22, words will no longer matter,” Garcia said. “The truth will come out.”
