Unbeaten star Gervonta “Tank” Davis has officially weighed in on the highly anticipated upcoming welterweight clash between rival fighters Ryan Garcia and Rolly Romero, offering his unique perspective as someone who has shared the ring with—and decisively defeated—both men.
The matchup between Garcia and Romero is slated to take place on May 2 at the iconic Times Square in the heart of New York City. The high-stakes event will feature the two competitors battling it out for the vacant WBA “regular” world welterweight title. For Garcia, affectionately known by his massive fanbase as “King Ry,” the upcoming bout marks a monumental career milestone and his first official appearance in the professional boxing ring in over twelve months.
Garcia’s prolonged absence from the sport stems from a one-year suspension handed down by boxing authorities after he tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine. The adverse analytical findings came from pre-fight drug tests administered prior to his high-profile bout against Devin Haney in April of last year. Despite the controversy and subsequent layoff, Garcia remains one of the most commercially viable and explosive talents in modern boxing, drawing immense public interest ahead of his return to the squared circle in Manhattan.
Standing across the ring from Garcia will be Rolando “Rolly” Romero, a brash and heavy-handed contender who is equally familiar with the bright lights and high-pressure environments of championship boxing. Few people on earth are better qualified to assess the dynamics of this particular matchup than Gervonta Davis. The reigning WBA world lightweight champion holds the distinction of having delivered devastating knockout victories over both Garcia and Romero, cementing his elite status in the division while gaining deep tactical insight into their respective strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies inside the ring.
During a recent interview with FightHype, Davis was asked to share his thoughts on the impending clash and whether he believes Romero can pull off a major upset against Garcia. Garcia’s professional record boasts only a single blemish, which came at the hands of Davis himself in their blockbuster 2023 encounter.
Addressing the prospects of an upset, Davis offered a cautious yet candid assessment of Romero’s chances. He noted that while boxing always carries the potential for unexpected outcomes, the matchup promises to deliver high-level drama. “Can Rolly pull off the upset? I don’t wanna say something crazy but yeah hopefully bro, hopefully for the sake of Rolly he can pull it off, but it’s going to be a good fight,” Davis told FightHype.
As the conversation continued, the interviewer pressed Davis on whether he envisions the welterweight championship showdown ending inside the distance, given the devastating punching power both Garcia and Romero possess in their repertoires. Davis did not hesitate to endorse the likelihood of a definitive finish, expressing absolute confidence that the judges will not be needed to settle the score at Times Square. “Yeah, for sure, somebody’s getting knocked out,” Davis stated unequivocally.
The bout between Garcia and Romero serves as the centerpiece for one of the most star-studded and anticipated fight cards of the boxing calendar year so far. The magnitude of the event extends well beyond the main event, as the undercard is stacked with elite-level talent and critical divisional matchups that carry significant world title implications.
Among the supporting attractions is Devin Haney, who will feature prominently on the card in a high-stakes showdown against former unified super-lightweight champion Jose Ramirez. Haney, eager to rebound and reassert his dominance at the championship level, faces a formidable test in Ramirez, a seasoned veteran known for his relentless pressure, conditioning, and championship pedigree.
Additionally, the event features the return of WBO super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez. The charismatic and explosive titleholder will be stepping back into the ring to defend his coveted crown against a tough and determined mandatory challenger in Arnold Barboza Jr. With Lopez’s knack for turning fights into high-drama spectacles and Barboza’s undefeated hunger for a world title, the co-feature bouts add immense depth to an already historic night of boxing in New York City.
As May 2 approaches, anticipation continues to build across the combat sports world. With Gervonta Davis having cast his vote for an explosive, knockout-filled conclusion, fighters, analysts, and fans alike await to see how Ryan Garcia performs in his comeback fight against the dangerous and unpredictable Rolly Romero under the bright lights of Times Square.
