Having won by technical knockout in the ninth round of the Dominican second featherweight champion (up to 59 kg) Hector Luis Garcia (16-1, 10 KOs), the WBA World lightweight champion (up to 61.2 kg) from the USA Gervonta Davis (28-0, 26 KO) gave
interview for a British news portal right in the locker room.
Gervonta commented on his performance, spoke about the upcoming fight against the popular US fighter Ryan Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) and gave advice to young athletes.
– You said that you need to figure out Garcia, what gave you problems in the beginning?
“He didn’t give me any problems. We just calculated the opponent and tried not to run into a blow that could shock me. I started playing my game in the later rounds.
“We saw how he staggered in the eighth round, and the ninth round could have brought a knockout. He said that after you hit him, he forgot where he was. Did you feel his damage? Did you know it was the blow that shook him?
– Yes, I knew that this blow shocked him, but I did not know that it was so much. Not knowing where you are is just crazy [смеётся]. Didn’t know I hit him so hard.
- The reaction of the boxing public to the victory of Davis over Garcia
– It is not alien to you to end the fights with a knockout. Today it is the 26th early end of the fight. Is it better for a fighter to give up on a stool than to be knocked out?
— Not if I beat them all 12 rounds. I’d rather beat someone for 12 rounds and then win by knockout. People love knockouts.
“It wasn’t a warm-up fight, but it was an interim fight before the big fight against Garcia and it was risky. What did you know today? What is the benefit of having a fight like this in front of Ryan Garcia?
“Be alert, don’t let them beat you up and be patient. I heard the crowd tried to fuck me, fight, but my coach just told me – stay calm, true to purpose, take it apart round by round.
– Today you were against a taller and fighter with a large arm span. Were there any things you learned today that you can use against Ryan Garcia?
Not really, because he was left-handed. He doesn’t have the same style as Ryan. Not really.
- Gervonta Davis – Hector Luis Garcia: fight statistics
– Today’s arena sold out completely the last time Mike Tyson boxed there. He said that you are one of his favorite fighters. How does it feel to compete with such a record and being the favorite fighter of one of your idols?
– That’s what it’s all about. It’s like a cycle. The next one will be someone else who will come after me and do the same things. It will always be about getting through it. It’s good that I can be mentioned with people like Mike Tyson, to collect the same crowd of spectators. It’s great for boxing. This contributes to the growth of the sport. The best is yet to come.
“We talked to you earlier about the distractions in the camp. Mike Tyson knows this better than most. The upcoming fight will attract more attention, more eyes, more possible distractions than in your other fights. What’s your plan to stay focused and make sure nothing gets in the way of your way to the ring?
– Keep the same people with me, be in a narrow circle, without assenting. Keep your head down a little and just keep working with my team. And we will develop the best plan, make the best adjustment when we fight Ryan Garcia.
What advice or what can you say to young boxers and just young people who want to become successful?
“Right now I would say stay close to your people, listen to them, stay focused, whatever you do in your life. Playing basketball, football or boxing – just stay focused, stay close to your people.
- Hector Luis Garcia reveals reason for stopping fight with Gervonta Davis