Initially, Ryan Garcia was praised for his willingness to not only talk the talk but also walk the walk.
After years of brazenly stating that he’ll wipe the floor with Gervonta Davis, Garcia (23-1, 19 KOs) immured himself in a negotiating room and refused to leave until a deal was officially done. Though he was forced to capitulate to many of Davis’ demands, Garcia was given his wish.
On April 22nd, at the T-Mobile arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Garcia confidently sauntered through a jam-packed arena. While an overwhelming sense of self-belief oozed through his pores, Davis beat the 24-year-old mercilessly around the ring.
In the seventh, in particular, having tasted the canvas in the second frame, Davis began walking his man down. During the period, the Baltimore native landed a crushing body shot, reacquainting Garcia with the deck.
Although his reaction was a bit delayed, the flamboyant star eventually took a knee just before Davis could begin his onslaught. Ten seconds later, referee Thomas Taylor waved off their contest.
Now, Garcia finds himself as the centerpiece of chastisement. Eddie Hearn, an interested observer on the night, originally refrained from slapping the quitting tag on Garcia. However, after giving it further thought, the longtime promoter acknowledged that Garcia should have risen to his feet.
“If you want to be brutally honest from a boxing sense, you can’t say that he didn’t quit,” said Hearn during an interview with Fight Hub TV.
By and large, most in boxing circles were unable to pinpoint the severity of Davis’ body shot. Nevertheless, camera crews caught a snippet of Garcia explaining to his then head coach, Joe Goossen, that he was unwilling to continue due to what appeared to be a pre-fight rib injury.
Garcia, of course, has refuted the notion that he voluntarily remained kneeled. But while the super lightweight contender has told all that would listen that Davis’ body shot was the deciding factor, Hearn is convinced that he undoubtedly quit.
“I don’t blame him for doing it. Most people in that position would have done that. It’s difficult to criticize a fighter but if we’re being honest, he did.”