Via Craig Daly: Paulie Malignaggi questions why management & network chose to announce the 136 lb weightlifting match between Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Ryan Garcia now when STILL have five months left before they schedule the clash of the day. April 15th & the fact that both will join interim matches in between.
Malignaggi suggested that the promoters chose to announce the Tank vs Ryan fight right now because boxing was “quieting,” so they chose to put it out there to get people talking.
Also, by announcing the match, they can get fans excited for temporary matches against the opposition that people might not be excited about.
On Friday, Showtime announced that Tank Davis will defend its WBA ‘regular’ lightweight title against Hector Luis Garcia on January 7 on PPV at Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC
While it’s a great fight if you’re a heavyweight boxing fan familiar with Hector Garcia, many ordinary people have never heard of him.
Therefore, due to the early announcement of the Tank vs Ryan match in April, fans are more likely to be interested in the Tank-Hector clash on January 7 than usual.
Ryan (23-0, 19 KOs) hasn’t announced who he’ll be fighting in his interim bout, but it’s not a risky opponent or anyone close to the level in his tuning fight. Tank with Hector Garcia.
Such a guy would probably be a strong contender against Ryan if the match goes down because he has more experience and better technique.
What we’ll likely see from Ryan is another older boxer who doesn’t have the power to make him look handsome to leave casual boxing fans energized to watch him face off. Tanks.
“It was like a big prank. Why announce it now if you both have to fight each other first?” Paulie Malignaggi said to TV Paulie about the match between Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Ryan Garcia on April 15.
“Why can’t you announce it when you both have the next battles out of the way?”
Apparently the Tank vs Ryan Garcia match announcement was made to get people talking about it early and especially to make it easier for them to sell temporary/modified skirmishes for both.
Like I said, fans won’t be excited to see Gervonta fight Hector Luis Garcia if that’s the only match they have to look forward to. But with fans viewing the Tank-Hector match as a prelude to the Tank-Ryan game in April, they’ll be more willing to open their wallets and pay over $70 to book the warm-up match. January 7 on SHOWTIME PPV.
“In today’s boxing scene where nothing is guaranteed anymore, it’s become a lot harder to get these fights done and it’s really frustrating. Why make this announcement if it’s not their next fight? Malignaggi said.
“A lot of things can happen. I just feel like boxing is taking a bit of a lull right now, and they say, ‘Let’s say this. Let’s announce it.’
“They may have agreed to a lot of terms, if not all, but a lot could get in the way from now on, especially when both sides are contentious in the middle. There may be another big offer coming their way.
“Maybe someone can’t put on weight by the time it happens in the middle of next year. There are many things that can stand in the way. Why announce it now? Like I said, I just feel like there’s a bit of a lull in this moment, so they think, ‘Let’s take advantage and get people excited and get people talking right now. ‘
“That was way too far before. It’s so early that I’m still not sure what to believe. If the fight comes as it gets closer, perhaps when both of them win the next battle.
“I assume Ryan would have a fight in the middle too if Tank did that. Ryan won’t want to shut down until spring. At this point, why do you need an adjustment? These guys are high enough level that they can fight each other.
“Honestly, a lot of the fights the two have been through have been adjusted. I don’t find it necessary or meaningful to say, ‘Let’s fight first.’ It’s just another way to steal people’s money in the meantimee.
“I hope the war will happen. It would be great. I can favor Tank in teamfights, but honestly, I think Ryan has a combination of things that could trouble Tank if he’s willing to go into a dogfight because I think it’s going to have to be. Dogfight to defeat Tank.
“I question if Ryan would want to join such a fight. I think Ryan has the ability to hurt Tank. I think he has the scope to put the Tank in some problems when trying to get inside.
“The tank is also fast. His combo punch is very wicked. He’s a guy that Ryan would want to keep on the outside. Ryan has great power outside. It’s not that Tank is a slacker in finding his way inside. Tank knows how to get inside.
“He has fat legs, and he has different weapons that he knows how to use to fool his way and then he can hurt you. If I analyzed it too much, I would get excited about the fight, but I don’t want to be teased.
“In general, boxing has been teased too much in recent years. Let’s hope this fight happens, and I’ll go into more detail on all the other stuff if it happens and wins. I don’t think there is any need for this notice at all. I don’t think it has any notification at all. Hopefully next year the fight will happen,” Malignaggi said.
