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12:49 a.m. update Tank Davis makes his ringwalk with his hometown of Baltimore not too far away.
The lightweight division gets a main event to open 2023 as Gervonta “Tank” Davis puts his WBA regular title on the line against Hector Luis Garcia. The bout takes place at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC on Showtime PPV. The main card gets started at 9 p.m. ET and the main event is expected to get started at approximately midnight.
Davis is 27-0 with 25 knockouts in his career. He last fought this past May when he stopped Rolando Romero in the sixth round to retain his title. It marked his third straight successful defense of a title he won in December 2019 when he stopped Yuriorkis Gamboa in the second round. That fight also marked his first fight after moving up from junior lightweight.
Garcia 16-0 (3 NCs) with ten knockouts on the books. He is making a move up from junior lightweight after beating Roger Gutiérrez last August to claim the WBA title. He’s won four fights since finishing in a third-round no contest against Marco Acevedo in December 2020.
Davis comes into the bout as the favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook. He is a -1600 favorite while Garcia is a +800 underdog. Total rounds is installed at 7.5 with the over priced at -125 and the under priced at -105. The favored fight outcome is Davis by stoppage at -400 followed by a Davis decision at +350. Garcia outcomes are +1400 for a decision win and +1800 for a stoppage win.
Gervonta Davis vs. Hector Luis Garcia round-by-round results
Round 1: Davis 10-9
Very conservative on both ends, as each fighter looking to establish themselves. Davis has been touted as a slow starter and its shown. Both throwing little to none, expect them to get busy as the rounds progress.
Round 2: Davis 10-9
Tank connects late, like most of the first round, each fighter on the slow end. Garcia content with not throwing, but needs to take a step up and match Davis on offense.
Round 3: Garcia 10-9
Best round of the night for Hector Luis Garcia, landed some notable shots and held Tank at bay. Pace seems to be picking up for both. At the same time, neither looks to be pressing the issue.
Round 4: Davis 10-9
Right hook lands upstairs and Garcia has felt the sting of Tank. Tank really ticking it up a notch and Garcia eats a right hook to the body as well. Sticking with him, Garcia lands a hook of his own. We are in for a good one.
Round 5: Davis 10-9
Another strong right hook from Tank, champion ready to unleash his combinations it seems. Garcia hanging tough, and not phased. However, Tank has a tendency to lure opponents into a signature shot.
Round 6: Garcia 10-9
Garcia hanging in tough, landing a few body shots. Tank doing a good job of covering up and hitting Garcia in the body as well.
Round 7: Davis 10-9
Davis applying a lot of pressure with right hooks. Garcia responding but his punches not as powerful as the champion. Garcia willing to step forward which could lead to his demise.
Round 8:
As both men step toe to toe in the ring, rapper Meek Mill and his entourage get into an altercation ringside (can’t make these things up). Fight resumes and Tank is now talking to Garcia. Tank is unleashing a barrage of hits on Garcia. Left hook leaves Garcia dazed and he can’t find his corner.
Round 9:
This one is OVER, Garcia doesn’t come out for Round 9, Davis wins!