It seems like every couple months a Ryan Garcia-Gervonta “Tank” Davis beef and/or fight rumor pops up. It’s no mystery why people would be interested in the fight– Garcia and Davis are the biggest box office draws in the talented, top-heavy lightweight division. It’s also no mystery why Garcia and Davis would consider fighting one another– a fight between the two would be the most lucrative in the 135 lb. class.
The problem is that, as “King Ry” vs. “Tank” goes, there’s always been more smoke than fire.
This time, the beef rekindled on social media, during last Saturday’s Devin Haney-George Kambosos Jr. lightweight title unification bout in Australia.
“@Gervontaa You watching this stuff?? When we fight don’t let it be like this,” Garcia tweeted at Davis.
Davis would respond with a terse “Shut the f**k up!”
“Oh yeah you say shut the f*k up but you were screaming I’m next,” Garcia countered angrily. “You should want this fight, don’t trip your disrespect will be addressed!! Promise you that B****.”
That anger would continue a few days later during Garcia’s press conference to announce his upcoming bout with Javier Fortuna.
“I want Tank Davis next, that is what I have said,” the 23-year-old told reporters. “I know that Tank is a big fighter and so am I. Whoever wins that fight is the next face of boxing.
“I think of every possibility to make fights in boxing. Both parties can come to an agreement, they need to be fair to each other and to the fights. Don’t be greedy, be firm, be fair, and let’s look at the data.”
And the acrimony would continue even after the press conference.
“‘F me,’ then why are you screaming my name outside of your fight?” Ryan Garcia told Fighthype.com, referring to the ‘Shut the f**k up’ tweet that initially set him off.
“He was talking about, ‘You next. You next,’ so why should I shut up if you’re the one talking like that? Now, it’s either you’re going to want to do it or not do it.
“Don’t tell me when you’re fighting in the ring you’re not really going to be about it. He can say, ‘Shut up’ all he wants. He wants that fight.
“What I do know is what I want next, and it’s Tank Davis. That’s what I’ve said before in the past. I just want that. I think it’s exciting.”
For what it’s worth, Garcia’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, has also been vocal about Garcia’s place atop the lightweight division and his desire to make the Garcia-Davis fight a reality.
“It’s funny because all those fighters have held world titles and they’ve been in the limelight and they’ve been in big fights, but all roads still lead to Ryan Garcia. And July 16th is gonna be very important against Fortuna, two-time ex-world champion, it’s gonna be a great test in front of some really bright lights in the Crypto Arena.
“But I’m ready to make Gervonta Davis a multi-multi-multi-million dollar offer to fight Ryan Garcia in November. I know that ‘Tank’ Davis had his last contractual fight with Mayweather Promotions, I’m not sure who’s promoting him now, but I’m willing to split this fight down the middle. I’m willing to make this fight available on DAZN and make the fight available on Showtime PPV and split it right down the middle and let’s make this fight happen. That’s the way it can become reality, is by working together, meeting halfway, and let’s get this thing going.”
Before getting too excited about Garcia vs. Davis, though, just remember that we’ve been down this road a few times before and have nothing to show for it. The pattern always seems to be the following– Garcia calls Tank out while hyping an upcoming bout against another fighter. Davis, meanwhile, responds with extreme indifference.
Unless something crazy and unexpected happens in the following weeks, expect this rivalry to go nowhere.
But, then again, maybe this time is THE time Tank vs. King Ry does actually happen. Maybe it’s time for something crazy and unexpected to happen. Cross your fingers.
