Report: Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia agree to 'framework' for fight in January
Do you like the idea of Gervonta Davis fighting Ryan Garcia? The dream matchup seems more realistic than ever.
The unbeaten, rising young stars have agreed to a “framework of a deal” to meet in a 136-pound catch weight fight, according to Sports Illustrated, which cited “sources familiar with the negotiations.”
Organizers are targeting January in Las Vegas.
However, reaching an agreement on who will broadcast the fight could be a significant sticking point.
SI is reporting that Davis’ promoter, Mayweather Promotions, is demanding that Showtime – which has broadcast Davis’ last 11 fights – have exclusive pay-per-view rights to the event.
That could be a problem for Garcia and his handlers, who are affiliated with the streaming service DAZN, whose executives will want a piece of the financial pie.
Garcia has fought at 140 pounds for his last two bouts but has agreed to fight at 136, one pound over the lightweight limit. Davis also has fought at 140 but moved back down to 135 for his last two fights.
Neither Davis (27-0, 25 KOs) nor Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs) hold a major title at the moment. However, that doesn’t matter given their popularity.
They both have millions of followers on social media. And Davis has packed arenas in multiple cities.
Davis is coming off a sixth-round knockout of Rolando Romero in May. Garcia last fought in July, when he stopped Javier Fortuna in July.