To pretend anything else will be bigger would be to play the ultimate April fool.
April 2023’s richest fight, long anticipated, is just weeks away:
- 04/22: 135 – TBRB #1 Gervonta Davis (28-0, 26 KO) vs. #3 Ryan Garcia (23-0, 19 KO)
The steadily boiling grudge match, to be contested at a catchweight slightly above the lightweight limit as Garcia already has a foot into the deep Jr. welterweight class, will present boxing in a somewhat new model.
Davis has been built through largely tried and true methods: appearances on Showtime, gradual introduction to several major markets, and establishment as a pay-per-view regular. While tried and true, they don’t always work. For Davis they have as his combination of punching power and charisma has made him one of the genuine ticket sellers in the game. His pay-per-view numbers haven’t quite exploded yet.
The thinking is Garcia could get him to that next peak with a win.
Garcia has been built in the ring traditionally, with gradually improving opposition but a significant piece of his following has come through social media channels. Almost none of Garcia’s fights have been available on traditional television outlets but he’s found his fans anyways.
In a perfect world, this could set the stage for the winner to challenge the winner of the undisputed lightweight title fight in May between champion Devin Haney and Vasyl Lomachenko. Maybe it will…maybe it won’t.
The bird in the hand in April is enough for now.
It’s two young, explosive, undefeated knockout artists. That’s a hard recipe to screw up and we’ll see how big this fight gets by the opening bell. It’s an event, and boxing needs them. It comes in a moment where the in-ring product has been good to its fans for several months. There is reason to think they’ve got lightning bottled.
Will we see lightning unleashed?
Heavyweight Intrigue
While Davis-Garcia will deliver some heavyweight box office, actual heavyweights of note will also be in action in April:
- 04/15: #2 Joe Joyce (15-0, 14 KO) vs. Zhilei Zhang (24-1-1, 19 KO)
Joyce has become a fan favorite with his steady, battering approach and a chin of granite so far. Joyce-Zhang is going to be a hoss fight for as long as it lasts as Joyce continues to work toward a title shot.
April will also feature the returns of Shakur Stevenson, Sebastian Fundora, and Mikaela Mayer as boxing tries to keep the momentum going for a thus far excellent 2023.
Additional Title Fights in April
Men
04/08: 122 – #2 Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-0, 8 KO, WBA/IBF) vs. #6 Marlon Tapales (36-3, 19 KO)
04/08: 112 – #2 (115) Jesse Rodriguez (17-0, 11 KO) vs. Cristian Gonzalez (15-1, 5 KO); vacant WBO
04/08: 108 – World Champion Kenshiro Teraji (20-1, 12 KO, Ring/WBC/WBA) vs. Anthony Olsascuaga (5-0, 3 KO)
04/16: 105 – #2 Petchmanee CP Freshmart (39-1, 23 KO, WBC) vs. Yudai Shigeoka (6-0, 4 KO)
04/22: 130 – #4 Joe Cordina (15-0, 9 KO) vs. Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (17-0-1, 14 KO, IBF)
Women
04/22: 147 – Sandy Ryan (5-1, 2 KO) vs. Marie Piere Houle (8-0-1, 2 KO); vacant WBO
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.