The fight between Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia will lead to one question: Who can take it down?
By: Sean Crose
Truth be told, boxing is not a tough competition. In fact, it hasn’t been a tough competition since fighters like James Corbett began successfully using things like jabs and footwork in the late 1800s. Since that time, simply hard in the prize round was unsuccessful. Look at the fierce ring masters of the past like Jack Dempsey, Sonny Liston and Mike Tyson. There are a lot of skills working there to complement all the violence (Or did the violence itself complement the skills?).
Maybe that’s why it’s such a big deal when two top boxers go head-to-head, who happen to be as violent as they know. Ray Leonard is definitely the smooth guy, but he knows how to take chances and be brutal when needed. Just ask Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran, two men who know better than most how to combine skill with destruction in the ring. And don’t even start with Marvin Hagler. His 1985 penalty shootout against Hearns remains one of the greatest moments in the sport’s history.
And while it’s silly to expect 99.9% of any fight to rise to the Hagler-Hearns level, there’s still a lot to be excited about this Saturday night’s showdown between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas. The bout, which took place in the 136-pound hottieth, is scheduled for the 12th. Not everyone feels it’s going to last that long. These fighters are knockout machines. Two undefeated young boxers had 53 encounters. Only six people made it to the final bell. The fists will fly with terrifying amounts of power behind them this weekend.
Moreover, these guys are in their prime. That makes Davis-Garcia a huge deal. Without a doubt, that’s the fight professional boxing needs right now. Of course, the question is who will win? And the answer may be: Who can bear it better. In other words, what man can successfully endure the heat of stepping through the other’s flames? Honestly, Davis is the more skilled of the two, but he’s a slow start. Plus, Garcia is taller and throws punches with lightning speed. Provided the fight does not end within the first few seconds from a howitzer fired by one of the opponents, each will feel the power of the other.
Who, then, will be able to take it? Who can endure long enough to stand? Who can get through it well enough to finally overtake the other if the fight goes to the final ring? Make no mistake, this match is highly unlikely. All it took was less than half a second for the issues to come to a crashing conclusion. There’s a reason this one is getting so much attention.
