Boxing hasn't felt that "big" in a long time. You know the feeling. That legitimate, big-fight-feel where even your friends who don't watch sports are suddenly asking for the PPV login. When Ryan Garcia vs Davis finally went down in April 2023, it wasn't just another match. It was the "New Face of Boxing" versus "KingRyan." It was a clash of egos, brands, and styles that actually lived up to the noise, even if the ending left some people scratching their heads.
The hype was exhausting. Honestly, the build-up lasted years. We saw the Twitter spats. We saw the face-offs where Gervonta "Tank" Davis looked like he wanted to jump the gun early. But when the lights hit the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the talking stopped. Well, mostly.
The Tactical Trap: Why Ryan Garcia vs Davis Ended in a Knee
Everyone remembers the body shot. That short, liver-crushing left hand from Davis in the seventh round. It looked like a "delayed reaction" knockout. Ryan stood there for a second, blinked, and then the nervous system just... quit.
But the fight was actually won much earlier.
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In the second round, Ryan got aggressive. Too aggressive. He had Tank backed up and was hunting for that signature left hook. Then, boom. Davis ducked, countered, and Ryan was on the floor. It changed everything. Garcia’s confidence, which usually borders on arrogance, visibly dipped. He became hesitant.
Gervonta Davis is a master of the "mental game." He doesn't just hit hard; he waits. He spent the middle rounds downloading Ryan's rhythm. By the time the seventh round rolled around, Tank knew exactly when Ryan was going to open up. He snuck that left hand right under Ryan's ribcage.
The Weight Drain and the Rehydration Clause
A lot of fans still argue about the 136-pound catchweight. Ryan had to agree to a 10-pound rehydration clause. This meant he couldn't weigh more than 146 pounds on the morning of the fight. For a guy who is 5'10" and naturally walks around much heavier, that's brutal.
Was he drained? Probably.
Does it excuse the loss? That’s where the debate gets heated. Tank's team was smart. They used the contract to take away Ryan's size advantage. It’s a "shrewd business move" that old-school fans hate but modern promoters love. Ryan admitted later that he felt "weak" in the ring, but he also gave Tank credit. He didn't want to make excuses, though the stats tell a story of a guy who just didn't have his usual snap.
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By the Numbers: A Commercial Juggernaut
If you think boxing is dead, look at these figures. Ryan Garcia vs Davis pulled in over 1.2 million PPV buys. That is insane in the era of illegal streaming. It generated a live gate of roughly $22.8 million.
- Total Attendance: 20,842 (A complete sellout).
- Power Punches Landed: Davis landed 48%, Garcia landed 42%.
- The Scorecards: At the time of the KO, all three judges had Davis ahead (58-56, 59-56, 58-56).
It was the fifth-highest-grossing gate in Nevada history. It beat out some legendary fights. This proved that if you put two young, undefeated stars together, the money follows. You don't need twenty belts on the line. You just need a real rivalry.
What Happened to Ryan Garcia After the Loss?
The aftermath was messy. Ryan swapped trainers, moving from Joe Goossen to Derrick James. He went through a very public "breakdown" on social media. Then came the Devin Haney fight in 2024—a massive win that turned into a "no-contest" after a failed drug test for Ostarine.
Fast forward to right now, January 2026. Ryan is finally coming off his suspension. He's scheduled to fight Mario Barrios on February 21 for the WBC welterweight title. It's his shot at redemption. Interestingly, his old trainer Joe Goossen is now in Barrios' corner. You couldn't write this stuff.
Is a Rematch Actually Coming?
Talk of a rematch has never really died. Recently, both fighters have been "fueling the fire" on X (formerly Twitter). Davis said "Yes it will" when asked if they'd fight again. Ryan responded, "Time to settle this the right way."
The catch? Weight.
Ryan is now a full-blown welterweight (147 lbs). Tank is still hovering around lightweight and super-lightweight. Unless Tank is willing to move up, or they meet at a 144-pound catchweight, the logistics are a nightmare. But with the kind of money they made the first time, "money talks" usually wins out.
Actionable Insights for Boxing Fans
Watching Ryan Garcia vs Davis taught us a lot about the current state of the sport. If you're following the lead-up to their potential rematch or Ryan's next title fight, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the weigh-in closely. In the first fight, the rehydration clause was the invisible opponent. If Ryan fights Barrios or Davis again, check if there's a "second-day weigh-in." It changes how a fighter's chin holds up.
- Look for the "downloading" phase. Tank Davis almost always loses the first two rounds. He's not losing; he's studying. If you see him sitting back, he's just waiting for the perfect counter.
- Check the trainer dynamics. Ryan's move to 147 lbs and his training camp stability will be the deciding factor in whether he can ever beat an elite counter-puncher like Davis.
The first fight was a "lesson in levels." Ryan had the speed, but Tank had the IQ. Whether Ryan has learned that lesson will be the biggest story in boxing through 2026. Keep an eye on the Barrios fight—it’s the ultimate litmus test for KingRy’s future.