WBA ‘regular’ lightweight titleholder Gevonta ‘Tank’ Davis 27-0 (25) insists he is not overlooking Hector Luis Garcia 16-0 (10) ahead of their clash at the Capitol One Arena in Washington DC on January 7.
The 28-year-old Baltimore southpaw is widely expected to face Ryan Garcia 23-0 (19) next if he is successful in his next title defence, while Garcia will need to get past two-time lightweight title challenger Mercito Gesta 33-3-3 (17) in January.
After winning different version of the world title at 130, 135 and 140 pounds, Davis seems to have settled on campaigning in the lightweight division where there is a wealth of talent and lucrative fights to be made.
But before he looks too deep into the future, he will need to get past the hard-nosed Garcia who won the WBA super featherweight championship from Roger Gutierrez 26-4-1 (20) by unanimous decision in his last outing in August.
“This is another event that we’re excited for,” Davis said. “I’ve been working hard and I appreciate everybody that’s come out today. This is a stacked undercard, it almost feels like I’m back in the amateurs with all these great fighters.
“We’re gonna go back into training camp right after today because we’re not sleeping on this guy. I know we have two fights lined up, but I’m only focused on this one. I’m ready to go through everybody that’s in my way.
“This is really important for me. It’s huge to open up the opportunity for other fighters to showcase their skills on the big stage. When you make your mark in the sport, it’s about coming back and showing other people that it can happen for them.
“This is just me trying to get over that hump. I don’t think of it as a dream come true. I’m not where I want to be yet. This fight is the next step.
“It feels good to be back home. All the greats have fought here and now I get to come back home and put on a great event. I love getting everyone together to have a party. That’s what it is. We grind in the gym and a lot of people don’t see that, so when the big event comes, it’s time to show up.
“I’m just ready to shut everyone up. All the talking that’s going around, I just want to go in the ring and shut them all up.
“I’ve always been the guy who stays focused and knows that whoever is in front of me is a threat. We know that Garcia is coming. I’m watching him a lot. I know what they’re doing day in and day out.
“There are a lot of young fighters coming behind me and I just want to be able to give them the platform that they deserve.”
