Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia: Top trainers offer big-fight predictions

Tom Gray

Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia: Top trainers offer big-fight predictions image

The sport of boxing received a much-needed power-up on Friday when Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia was officially announced for April 22 in Las Vegas (venue to be determined). This 12-round 136-pound catchweight contest will be a Showtime PPV and DAZN PPV broadcast.

MORE: All you need to know about Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia

Despite no world title being at stake, the Davis vs. Garcia fight is one of the most eagerly anticipated in the sport. The sizeable fanbases of both fighters juxtaposed alongside their unbeaten records, rapier speed, and state-of-the-art firepower all but guarantees the kind of excitement that boxing has been sorely lacking.

The 28-year-old Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) is a three-time super-featherweight champion who has also captured secondary belts at lightweight and super lightweight. The Baltimore-based southpaw is firmly established as one of the premier knockout artists in the world today. Included among Tank’s signature wins are Jose Pedraza (TKO 7), Yuriorkis Gamboa (TKO 12), and Leo Santa Cruz (KO 6).

Garcia, 24, has yet to capture a world championship but he has crossed every “t” and dotted every “i” while compiling an immaculate 23-0 (19 KOs) record. While “King Ry” cannot match Davis for experience at world level, he does have significant advantages in height and reach. The flashy Californian’s career-best win is a seventh-round TKO over former Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell.

The Sporting News reached out to a plethora of world-class trainers for some early predictions ahead of this thunderous collision:

Dave Coldwell

Current trainer for former European featherweight champion Jordan Gill and top-flight prospect Hopey Price

"Garcia has his chin quite high and that’s the worry, especially during exchanges. You can see him just getting bombed.

"Tank has been guilty of loading up, but he’s got a very good boxing brain – a very underrated boxing brain. We always think about his power, but he has very good speed and skills.

"What makes it intriguing is that Tank might keep loading up and because of Garcia’s range and his own speed, he might keep him on the end of his long shots and hurt him.

"I just think they’ll exchange and I can’t see Garcia not being tagged. Garcia got dropped quite heavily by Luke Campbell, and if Tank hurts you, you’re going to stay hurt."

Prediction: Davis by KO

Gervonta Davis
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Stephen “Breadman” Edwards

Trainer for former IBF super middleweight champion Caleb Plant

"It’s a great fight, but I think it’s going to be more of a chess match than people realise. Davis is a minimalist. He’s very economical and doesn’t give you much until it’s time to explode. I don’t see this being an epic Corrales-Castillo fight. I see it as a chess match between big punchers.

"It’s a very winnable fight for Ryan Garcia, make no mistake about it. Using the right game plan, he can win this fight because with Tank being a minimalist, he can use that against him and peck and poke his way to a decision without taking any chances. I just feel that at some point Davis will force him into a mistake and knock him out in the second half of the fight."

Prediction: Davis by KO

Peter Fury

Current trainer for former WBO middleweight titleholder Savannah Marshall

"I think Ryan Garcia is a very good fighter. He’s had his issues outside of the ring, but if he’s on point, he could get the win here.

"Garcia has excellent hand speed and reflexes, but 12 rounds is a long time. Tank Davis ticks all the boxes. He’s one tough man and he can hit. Let’s see how Garcia responds in the second half when Tank is trying to walk him down.

"Also, Garcia has chased this fight, but that might seem like a good idea until he gets punched in the face.

"I’ve always felt this is a young man’s sport. It’s 50-50, but Garcia is the younger man. I’d edge towards Garcia. I don’t know if he can get him out of there, so I’ll go for Garcia on points in a good, close fight."

Prediction: Garcia by decision

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Joe Gallagher

Current trainer for unified super welterweight champ Natasha Jonas and former two-time bantamweight champion Paul Butler

"Hopefully, this is the start of all the big fights being made before boxing turns into an even smaller niche sport.

"You have the speed, the youth, and the brash cockiness of Ryan Garcia, then you’ve got the phenomenal talent of Tank Davis.

"I was impressed with Tank when he was in the UK fighting Liam Walsh, and the way he took out [Leo] Santa Cruz with that uppercut was devastating.

"We see Garcia get dropped by Luke Campbell and get back up to win. There is a vulnerability there, but neither fighter is going to be complacent in this one.

"It’s a great fight, but if you have to push me for a pick now, then I’m going for the Tank."

Prediction: Davis by KO

Jamie Moore

Current trainer for undisputed super-lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron and top super lightweight contender Jack Catterall

"Garcia brings explosive power, and the only question is, can he make that work at this level?

"Tank has come up through the weights and he’s very short for a lightweight at 5ft 5ins. It’s Garcia who has the advantages in height and reach, but Tank has made a career out of closing the gap and getting off on people.

"It’s a bit of a gamble from Tank because even though we haven’t seen Garcia at this level, that doesn’t mean he can’t operate at this level.

"I believe Garcia can fight at world level, and I think he’ll be around for years to come. I just wonder if it’s a bit too soon for him.

"My gut tells me Garcia will have success, but that Tank will figure him out and end the fight between the sixth and eighth round.

"It’s a f***king great fight!"

Prediction: Davis by KO

SHOWTIME

Sean O’Hagen

Current trainer for former two-time featherweight champion Josh Warrington and top lightweight Maxi Hughes

"To be honest, a lot of people will be favouring Davis, but I think Garcia wins.

"I like Garcia because he’s got youth on his side. He can box, he can fight, he’s got a bit of everything. He’s got hand speed, reflexes, and his height is a massive advantage. The height and reach allow him to get his timing and his feet right. He’ll be bringing in those angled shots and uppercuts from down below all night long. I think he’ll give Davis a lot of trouble.

"Tank has the potential to end the fight with one punch, so Garcia has to really push out that lead hand. We seen it with Leigh Wood [against Mauricio Lara]. Leigh was pivoting well after his attacks, but he forgot to take that little half-step back.

"Garcia has to be switched on from start to finish, but I think he wins on points."

Prediction: Garcia by decision

Ronnie Shields

Current trainer for WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo

"I’m excited for this one. They’re two of the very best in the lightweight division and I think it’s going to be a great fight. When you look at the styles, it’s just a perfect match.

"Gervonta has a lot of skill and he’s really smart. He knows he has the power to hurt anybody in the division. He can box, but when he has to go forward, he can do that too. And I think he’s the stronger fighter.

"Ryan is good, man. Although he got dropped in one fight (by Luke Campbell), that was a case of him not paying attention. And that punch woke him up and he got down to business. He’s proven that he can come from behind if he has to.

"I think Garcia is the better boxer, so I see Tank backing up during the fight and trying to lure Ryan onto big shots. But in the later rounds, Tank is going to realise that he has to go forward, and I think that’s the key for him to win the fight."

Prediction: Davis by decision

Totals: 5-2 Gervonta Davis

Tom Gray

Tom Gray Photo

Tom Gray joined The Sporting News in 2022 after over a decade at Ring Magazine where he served as managing editor. Tom retains his position on The Ring ratings panel and is a full member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.