Davis (27-0, 25 KO) is one of boxing’s pound-for-pound hardest punchers and has experienced success from super featherweight to super lightweight. Saturday’s fight will be contested at lightweight, with Davis defending his secondary WBA title.
Davis only fought once in 2022, scoring a May knockout of Rolando Romero in an odd bout that saw Davis troubled by Romero’s length and odd style before a crushing left hook stopped Romero in the sixth round.
“We trained hard. He’s been saying some things that have turned me up,” Davis said at the press conference this week. “You definitely don’t want to miss this one. We’re going to make sure this is a tough fight for him. Don’t get no popcorn during this fight. Keep your butt glued to the seat. I promise you it’s gonna be fireworks.
Garcia (16-0, 10 KO) will enter the ring as a significant underdog, but pulling off a big upset would be nothing new to the Dominican.
Two fights ago, Garcia was a massive underdog against Chris Colbert in a fight in which Garcia stepped in on short notice because WBA super featherweight champion Roger Gutierrez tested positive for COVID-19. Garcia dominated Colbert, dropping him in the seventh round and getting a wide decision victory.
That set Garcia up for a shot at Gutierrez and the WBA title. Again, Garcia entered as the underdog, and again, he emerged victorious.
Speaking at the pre-fight media workouts, Davis made it clear that he’s aware of the threat Garcia poses and won’t look past him to the fight with the other Garcia which is scheduled to take place in a few months’ time.
“Garcia did what he had to do to earn this fight, Davis said. “He beat a top contender and then won the belt. Giving him the shot was the perfect timing for everyone. He’s earned his stripes.
Our main focus is Hector Luis Garcia. We know that he’s a threat to everything I want to do. The goal is to put on a great performance, nothing else.”
The undercard also features the return of arguably the best top contender in the world when Jaron “Boots” Ennis takes on Karen Chukhadzhian in a welterweight bout.
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Ennis, 25, is outstanding with a 29-0 record that includes 27 knockouts. He’s never been beyond the sixth round as a pro and has aspirations of facing Errol Spence Jr. for the unified crown.
The IBF has already ordered a bout between the two and a win on Saturday over Chukhadzhian, who will be making his U.S. debut, can earn Ennis the WBA interim title.
“I’m on my ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson. I don’t go in there looking for the knockout, but f I see that opening, I’m definitely taking it. I’m not afraid to get him out early. Everyone knows I’m in and out like a robbery,” Ennis said at the press conference this week. “I’m putting my own twist on Tyson. I picked up a few things from watching Tyson, so this is gonna be a fun night. I’m going to be explosive with it.”
