In a clash of two of boxing’s biggest names, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia went toe-to-toe in a fight that lived up to its hype. The fight, which took place in the T-Mobile Arena, started off with both fighters landing big shots. However, in the seventh round, Davis landed a sneaky left hook to Garcia’s body, causing him to grimace and drop to one knee. This knockdown proved to be pivotal, as Garcia was down twice in the fight, and Davis went on to win with a TKO in the seventh round.
The fight was a culmination of months of hype, with both fighters engaging in a few testy exchanges in the lead-up to the bout. However, the chatter surrounding the fight was not without merit, as both fighters showed up on fight night, and fans were on their feet, invested in every punch. Despite Garcia’s two knockdowns, it never seemed like there was a foregone conclusion, and both fighters landed big shots throughout the fight.
However, it was Davis who emerged as the victor, remaining undefeated and showing why he’s one of boxing’s most transcendent boxers. In front of a celebrity-laden audience, Davis had the showing that could make him a transcendent crossover star that the sport has desperately needed. When asked in the post-fight interview if he was the face of boxing, Davis responded with a simple “Abso-f—ing-lutely,” showcasing his confidence and swagger.
Davis has been on the rise since appearing on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight in 2017. Since then, the wheels have been in motion for Davis to take Mayweather’s spot atop the sport. With his victory over Garcia, Davis has a strong case as boxing’s biggest box-office attraction, along with the likes of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and undisputed super middleweight champ Canelo Alvarez.
However, the only person seemingly capable of dampening Davis’ star power is himself. In 2017, he was stripped of the IBF’s junior lightweight title for missing weight, and he has faced multiple criminal cases outside of the ring. In February, he pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run case in Feb. 2020, and he currently has a battery case in Florida pending. While being boxing’s biggest star comes with many advantages, it also comes with a heightened level of scrutiny, and Davis will need to stay out of trouble if he wants to maintain his star power.
The fight between Davis and Garcia was not just a pivotal moment for Davis, but it also re-imagined what it’s like to build a modern-day star. Garcia had amassed a huge following on social media before he had the ring credentials to match them, showing that in today’s age, building a following outside of the ring is just as important as what happens inside the ring.
The wattage inside T-Mobile Arena could be felt well before the two fighters stepped out of the tunnel to a massive ovation. NFL stars such as Kansas City’s Travis Kelce, Los Angeles Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, and Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons were in attendance, as were boxing legends Manny Pacquiao and Sugar Ray Leonard. There were athletes across all sports, movie stars, musicians, and other A-listers, showcasing the drawing power that Davis and Garcia both carry.
The fact that Davis had so many stars across multiple sports come out to see the event live speaks to his potential as a transcendent crossover star. Moments like this have always been reserved for boxing’s biggest events that feature the sport’s top stars, and Davis made it clear that he fits into that category.
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