I want to clarify that I don’t think Tank Davis is afraid to fight anyone from 135-140.
Many would say that Tank would be a favorite over all the fighters between 135-140. The real issue is that Tank doesn’t seem to have a burning desire to fight them. If the fights happen, that is fine, but it is also fine if he fights exclusively on his side of the street.
The difference with Ryan Garcia is he had a burning desire for years to fight Tank Davis. The way Ryan explains it, he feels if he beats Tank, people will take him seriously as a boxer for defeating the division’s biggest and the quote-un-quote boogeyman.
It shouldn’t be a debate, but this fight is happening because of Ryan Garcia. If Ryan had pushed back too hard on any of the demands that Davis’ presented to him, there wouldn’t have been a fight.
I am sure Davis’ team was shocked at what Garcia agreed to without much pushback.
Catchweight? No problem.
Rehydration clause? No problem.
Short money? No problem.
Showtime handles the broadcast? No problem
One-way rematch clause? No problem.
It was only when Showtime said they wanted total control over the rematch, even if Garcia won, that Oscar De La Hoya stepped in and said that was too much.
That is why all the pressure is on Tank.
When you proclaim to be the A-side, and you are the more experienced fighter, you are expected to take care of fighters like Ryan Garcia in short order.
If Ryan loses, he will be fine. His popularity expands beyond boxing, and people will respect him for making the fight happen, even with all the stipulations that will make his journey to winning the fight harder.
Tank can’t lose.
He has that mythical thing surrounding him that you have seen with fights in the past like George Foreman and Mike Tyson or with current fighters like Deontay Wilder.
Once that myth is shattered, it gives others more confidence, so the pressure is on him especially considering everything has been stacked in his favor to take out Garcia and move on as quickly as possible.
Order the fight: https://sho.com/ppv #DavisGarcia is Saturday, April 22nd, on pay-per-view.