By Norm Frauenheim –
They went coast-to-coast. They trash-talked, face-to-face, at midday in New York on Wednesday and after lunch on Thursday in Los Angeles. They postured, preached and promised.
But, mostly, Tank Davis and Ryan Garcia kept us waiting. The NY version of the coast-to-coast newser was about two hours late. Something about Davis getting caught in traffic.
The sequel, an LA matinee, started about an hour after it was scheduled to begin. On BST – Boxing Standard Time, late starts are like low blows. Count on them.
In any time zone, however, boxing news conferences are all about theater. The bigger the fight, the bigger the stage. And Davis-Garcia is a biggie, at least it is in a market that has left its eroding fan base starving for something relevant – something real – in the wake of collapsed negotiations for Terence Crawford-Errol Spence.
Enter Davis-Garcia, which has moved into the vacuum with a fight loaded with dynamic potential. But, like the news conferences, we’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out on April 22, the scheduled opening bell for their 136-pound bout at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on Showtime pay-per-view.
For now, it’s a show like full of familiar hyperbole, stunts and proclamations. Believe at your own risk. The common theme has been that Davis-Garcia represents another new beginning for a sport that always seems to be starting over. Davis is 28; Garcia 24.
“You all keep saying boxing is dead,’’ Davis trainer Bob Ford said Thursday “Naaah, the young-ins is coming.’’
The Youngblood plot line is compelling. I hope it’s right. I wrote a New Year’s column for 15 Rounds in January, saying it was time for a new generation. Depending on who’s doing the talking, it’s already here.
“Whoever wins this is on top, the face of boxing,’’ Garcia said Thursday. “I truly believe that.’’
Davis, never shy or short on confidence, believes he’s already that face. Move over, Canelo Alvarez. Hand over that pound-for pound crown, Terence Crawford
“I’m already in that position,’’ Davis said matter-of-factly Thursday. “Canelo, he’s already out the door. I’m the face of the sport.’’
As I heard Davis declare his supremacy, I kept hearing that automated message you get after pushing the button for the crosswalk signal at a busy intersection. Wait, wait, wait.
If Davis-Garcia lives up to the hype, it will herald that the new is moving in and the old is moving out. The 26-year-old David Benavidez has a chance to kick in the door a few weeks earlier in a super-middleweight bout against Caleb Plant on March 25 at Vegas’ MGM Grand.
At best, Davis and Garcia could motivate Crawford and Spence to do what they wouldn’t late last year. Rights to pound-for-pound supremacy are won and retained only in the ring, a piece of real estate they have been unwilling to share thus far.
Davis and Garcia have agreed to do what they won’t. Maybe that changes their minds.
Maybe.
The waiting game continues, however, until we see Davis (28-0, 26 KOs) and Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) walk down the aisle, up the steps and through the ropes. Only the sound of an opening bell ends the waiting.
There’s nothing new about late arrivals for news conferences. They are a well-rehearsed part of the show. In New York, however, Davis sent off some alarm bells that have been there before and after the date with Garcia was a done deal.
Davis is often compared to Mike Tyson because of his dramatic punching power. But another Tyson parallel is trouble outside of the ring. Like Tyson, you get the sense you’re watching an accident about to happen.
The Davis-Garcia fight is happening on April 22, because Davis won’t be sentenced on a Baltimore hit-and-run until May 5. He also was arrested on Dec. 27 on a domestic-abuse charge in Broward County, Fla. His accuser later retracted the allegation.
When he’s nearly two hours late for a newser, you wonder. Fans wonder.
But they wait, too.
There’s evident enthusiasm for Davis-Garcia
In terms of experience, power and proven skillset, Davis figures to beat Garcia. Yet, Garcia’s abundant poise and smarts suggest he’ll be more of a threat to Davis than the odds might suggest. Davis is a narrow favorite.
After the staged part of the New York newser, Garcia talked to a group of reporters and questioned Davis’ ability to fight through adversity.
“When Tank gets into trouble, he takes the easy way out,’’ Garcia said in a comment captured on video.
Whether Garcia has enough in his skillset to prevail, however, is there. He’s known for his speed and a huge left hook.
But, Davis wonders, is that all there is?
“He’s going to hit me with that hook, because that’s all he’s got,’’ Davis said as he looked over at Garcia Thursday. “A left hook. What else? That’s all you got. You’re not a complete fighter.
“What happens when that one punch don’t work?’’
We’ll have to wait for an answer to that question. And a few more.
