- Gervonta "Tank" Davis vs. Ryan Garcia will grow to become
boxing 's biggest bout. - That's according to Tank's representative
Leonard Ellerbe , the CEO ofMayweather Promotions . - "It's inevitable that it's going to happen," Ellerbe told Insider, though when is not yet known.
Gervonta "Tank" Davis vs. Ryan Garcia will be the biggest fight in boxing whenever it is made.
That's according to Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe who told Insider last week that a future bout between star Mayweather fighter Davis, and his lightweight rival Garcia, is "inevitable."
"That will be the biggest fight in boxing," Ellerbe told us. "It's inevitable that it's going to happen, when those guys get a chance to share the ring.
"I'm sure Ryan is going to continue to win, and Tank's going to continue to win," he said. "It's a tremendous match-up."
It is a match-up already talked about favorably by those at Golden Boy Promotions - the Los Angeles-based boxing company that represents Garcia.
Golden Boy partner Bernard Hopkins told Insider earlier this month that athletes like Davis and Garcia are "a talent agency's dream" because they have built-in fanbases that are growing year-on-year.
"Every era has its stars who bring other casual boxing fans to our sport and enjoy and love it and never leave again. That's what I like about guys like Ryan and Tank Davis," Hopkins said.
"I'd be a fool if I tell you that Tank Davis has no chance when he fights Ryan Garcia. But I also know Ryan Garcia has all the tools and the style to beat Tank Davis."
Hopkins said he considers Floyd Mayweather and Ellerbe friends of his which adds to the likelihood that, in time, a deal can be struck.
"I have a great deal of respect for Hop, too," Ellerbe said when we told him about Hopkins' comments. "But he's supposed to say that [about Garcia] - that's his fighter! I feel different.
"I've got respect for Ryan. He's made a big impact in this sport thus far this early in his career," Ellerbe said.
Garcia, Ellerbe continued, has "done a tremendous job at marketing himself and getting his face out there which in today's world plays a big factor in how revenues generate. He gets that and he's done a great job in that."
When the pair eventually fight, however, all the talking will stop, and there will be "nothing but fireworks," Ellerbe said.
"He's [Garcia] been on record saying he'll knock Tank out in two rounds. But Tank's a whole different animal. He's seen nothing like Tank.
"Everybody thinks Tank can only punch because he has a bunch of knockouts, but he's also one of the best boxers in the world … he just hasn't had to pull that out of the bag yet to prove that."
Ellerbe was scared during Tank's last bout
Davis' last fight was a lightweight world title match in October 2020 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. 9,000 fans were in attendance.
Davis shook off Leo Santa Cruz's best shots and knocked the Mexican out with a nasty, sixth-round uppercut. It was one of the most violent but brilliant finishes of the entire year.
"It really was [the best]," Ellerbe told Insider. "But it was a scary moment. I recall watching, again, it was a brutal knockout."
Ellerbe said that he was so concerned by the ferocity of the knockout that rather than congratulate his own fighter, he first went to check on Santa Cruz.
"Fighters are just trying to make a living. None of this is personal," he said. "I got a great deal of respect for Leo and his family - he is under the PBC [Premier Boxing Champions] umbrella [like Davis].
"You never want to see a guy get hurt where he can't go out there and perform. Again, that was a very, very scary moment. But I was very happy that Tank got the job done. And I'm excited about what can be ahead."
Five days after Tank's last win he was allegedly involved in a car accident while driving his Lamborghini Urus in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office last week indicted Davis on 14 counts of traffic violations related to an alleged hit-and-run. The charges include failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and driving with a revoked license.
Court documents allege Davis drove through a red light and collided with another vehicle. Four people inside the other vehicle, a Toyota Solara, were taken to a medical center.
Davis has 'experienced ups, downs' in life, Ellerbe said
Insider asked Ellerbe whether the incident compromises the construction of a card built around Davis in the coming months if there is a legal issue.
"I can't really comment on it because it's a legal situation but, like with anything, each and every day as a person you try to be better than you were yesterday.
"Tank has had a couple of issues in the past," Ellerbe said. "Again, he's learning from them.
"We continue to have great dialogue. He wants to get better every day, take care of himself and his daughter, his family, and be the best version of himself and be a great fighter."
Davis is focused on his career, Ellerbe said, but he acknowledged that Davis has had "challenges" in his life so far.
"He wants to have a great career - that's what the plan is. Unfortunately, things happen in life and you just make the best of it.
"He's a young man and I'm very proud of him. He's overcome a number of challenges from his upbringing. He's a young man who has experienced ups, downs, and we expect great things from him."
Ellerbe continued: "I'm excited about his future. I care about him as a young man. He's from Baltimore and I'm from Washington, D.C. We speak the same language.
"I'm in his corner, Floyd's in his corner, and he has our support 1,000%."