The 2023 boxing calendar will kick off in the nation’s capital on January 7, 2023 as WBA Super Featherweight Champion Hector Garcia challenges WBA “Regular” Lightweight Champion Gervonta Davis. Garcia’s debut at lightweight will have implications that reverberate around the sport of boxing. If he is able to dethrone Davis, he will put himself in line for a number of major fights. Also, it will derail a potential bout featuring Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis that is tentatively scheduled for April 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. While Hector Garcia is a talented fighter with confidence, Davis is not only confident that he will win on January 7, but he is also confident that he will defeat Ryan Garcia in April.
“I don’t think either one of them is a complete fighter,” Davis said about Hector and Ryan Garcia, per Boxing Scene.
Hector Garcia emerged as one of the breakout stars in the super featherweight division in 2022. First, he upset highly touted contender Chris Colbert in February at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Just a few months later, he beat Roger Gutiérrez to claim the WBA Super Featherweight Championship. Meanwhile, Ryan Garcia protected his undefeated record by defeating Emmanuel Tagoe and Javier Fortuna in 2022. The Baltimore, Maryland native is confident that he will beat both fighters, but he is aware that both possess skills that he is must keep in mind when in the ring.
“I can’t just go in there and try to knock either opponent out. It’s more than just punching power. It’s skills along with boxing IQ,” Davis said, per Boxing Scene.
Sportsbooks also share the Baltimore native’s confidence. Draftkings currently lists Gervonta “Tank” Davis as a -1800 favorite against Hector Garcia.
