After Gervonta “Tank” Davis walked away from his controversial majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr., questions about whether the Baltimore native is still at his best have erupted across the boxing world.
Now, as Davis prepares for an expected rematch later this year, one veteran voice in the sport is making headlines for calling out what he sees as a critical flaw in Tank’s current game – a flaw that could cost him again if it isn’t addressed.
Henry Garcia, father and coach of Davis’ former rival Ryan Garcia, has offered his honest assessment of Tank’s latest performance. Speaking to Fight Hub TV during a press conference for Ryan’s upcoming fight, Garcia Sr. didn’t hold back.
“His age is catching up to him. The legs aren’t there as they used to be,” Garcia Sr. said, suggesting that Davis no longer moves with the same explosiveness he once displayed – a shocking take for a fighter who’s only 29 years old.
Garcia also questioned a major coaching decision Davis made ahead of the fight with Roach. Instead of having longtime mentor Calvin Ford lead his corner, Barry Hunter took charge, sparking speculation.
Garcia Sr. believes this switch may have played a role in Davis’ underwhelming showing, adding: “He switched his trainer, which could be another factor.”
Though Ford later clarified that Hunter took over simply because of scheduling conflicts – not because of any fallout – Garcia Sr. and others remain unconvinced the change had no impact.
And when asked if he believed Davis had done enough to win, Garcia didn’t mince words: “There’s no way you can say that Tank won. There’s no way.”
A Crucial Rematch Could Define Davis’ Future
Despite the controversy, Davis remains undefeated – but with his reputation on the line, a rematch with Roach is reportedly in the works for June 2025.
According to Boxing Kingdom, the rematch may take place in Las Vegas, although some insiders are pushing for a return to New York, where their first bout was a sell-out success.
Michael Woods, a respected boxing journalist, pointed out that both fighters are East Coast natives, making New York an appealing option. Yet, given Tank’s star power and Las Vegas’ reputation as boxing’s mecca, the final decision will ultimately rest with Davis and his team.
However, if Davis wants to maintain his standing as one of the sport’s elite – and avoid another disappointing result – he’ll likely need to address the concerns raised by Garcia and others. His mobility, trainer alignment, and overall sharpness will be under a microscope heading into the rematch.
With Roach eager to prove the first fight wasn’t a fluke and Davis determined to reassert his dominance, fans can expect fireworks when they meet again.
The big question now? Can Davis silence the doubters and show that he’s still the same fighter who took out Ryan Garcia in devastating fashion – or is his era as boxing’s lightweight king starting to slip away?
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