Gervonta Davis has told Ryan Garcia to "tighten up" before their highly anticipated fight next year.
Lightweight world champion Davis is expected to meet fellow unbeaten star Garcia on April 15 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Having not fought since May, Davis wants to stay active before facing the Mexican-American so he's decided to fight Hector Garcia on January 7.
'Tank' has criticised Garcia for not taking another fight before their April clash, stating: “I think Ryan Garcia’s being lazy not taking a fight before our fight. I don’t know. When he was coming up, he was in the gym and everything and now he’s got some money and a little bit of fame and he’s partying and stuff like that.
“It happens to the majority of us, it’s up to him to tighten up before it’s too late. I am hoping that the Garcia fight will open up doors for everyone to make more big fights. It also shows that I’m not ducking anybody.”
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Garcia was offered a fight against Mercito Gesta on January 28 to help him stay active before facing Davis, but he opted to turn it down. 'Flash' explained his decision by tweeting: "Been thinking about it during the time they were figuring out this fight and I feel the fans and everyone who supports boxing have seen tune-ups already. Davis requested the tune-up, not me, so let him handle business."
Davis is not taking his tune-up fight next month lightly and insists he can't rely on knocking all of his opponents out, despite having gone the distance just twice in 27 professional fights. Hector is unbeaten in 18 professional fights and moves up in weight to face Davis having won the WBA super-featherweight title in his last fight.
"I can’t just go in there and try to knock everyone out right away," Davis added. "I have to show that I have more than just punching power. I have skills to go along with my boxing IQ. Hector is a sound fighter who’s beat some top guys. He’s a durable guy who’s coming to fight. He’s undefeated and he’s a great opponent.
"You can’t sleep on him. If you’re sleeping on him, he might put you to sleep. Every fight is a stepping stone toward what I want to do. I feel as though this fight with Hector is an important piece in all of it. I have to put on a good performance so that everybody knows that this is in their future."
