Gervonta Davis knocks out a tough Hector Luis Garcia and goes after Ryan Garcia

American Gervonta Davis set the stage for his April megafight against compatriot Ryan Garcia after defeating Dominican Hector Luis Garcia by ninth-round technical knockout at the Capital One Arena in Washington.

With the victory, Gervonta, in addition to “securing” the lucrative fight against ‘King’ Ryan at a catch weight of 136 pounds, retained the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight regular champion title that he has held since 2019 after knocking out the Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa in round 12.

The 28-year-old American boxer started slowly, but after the fourth round he took the reins of the fight against an opponent who gave him nothing and was competitive until he gave up starting in the ninth round.

“When I touched him I knew he was hurt,” Gervonta said in the center of the ring at the end of the fight. “I have to keep working. I’m a fighter. I always win and I always learn.”

Regarding his opponent, he indicated that Héctor Luis García’s style bothered him a bit because he is not used to fighting lefties. “I was trying to beat him mentally. Trying to trick him with my hands and my eyes. He’s a top-tier fighter, so I had to lure him…”

Meanwhile, “El Androide” García explained that the reason for his resignation was that “I received a blow to the head (at the end of the eighth round) and I couldn’t see, I didn’t know where I was. My head still hurts. I couldn’t see, but my vision is back. Until then the fight was going pretty good, I was finding the spaces to hit him and I think I hurt him too.”

Tank walked the tightrope again before unloading on Garcia in round 8, landing 30 of 46 punches, 29 of which were power shots (39 thrown). Kudos to Garcia, who stayed in the pocket all fight. #DavisvsGarcialive pic.twitter.com/626cX1n3U6

– CompuBox (@CompuBox) January 8, 2023

Now Davis has a balance of 28 wins without losses, including 26 knockouts, which leaves him with 92.86 percent of his wins by way of chloroform and in the prelude to the biggest fight of his career.

In this regard, Gervonta stressed with a smile on her face: “I am ready for the fight [vs. Ryan]. It is scheduled for April. She’s been training, she’s been talking. Let’s do it.” Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia is scheduled for April 15 in Las Vegas, but that matchup isn’t official yet.

For Hector Luis, who remains the reigning WBA super featherweight champion, this loss represents the first of his professional career in 19 starts (including two no contests).

‘Boots’ Ennis ruins Chukhadzhian marathon

In a lackluster bout, Jaron Ennis (30-0-0, 27 KOs) managed to outpoint Ukrainian Karen Chukhadzhian (21-2-0, 11 KOs) to claim the interim IFRC welterweight title. of Boxing (IBF).

Ennis spent the entire fight chasing the European who dedicated himself to running so as not to lose by knockout in his first appearance in the United States, although he earned boos from the public at the Capital One Arena.

The judges’ scorecards reflected scores of 120-108, 120-108, 120-108. I mean, they saw Ennis win all 12 rounds.

“I came here to dominate. I could have thrown more punches and knocked him out, but that was my fault. I learned to be patient and I’m glad I felt great going 12 rounds. I should have knocked him out,” Ennis said. “My rival ran a lot, but I take my hat off to him since several elude me.”

Commenting on what’s next in his career, Ennis commented that “everyone knows I want to fight Errol Spence and the winner of the Virgil Ortiz vs. (Eimantas) Stanionis fight. We’re going for everything. I’ll wait for the right time and Spence is ready.”

Tank walked the tightrope again before unloading on Garcia in round 8, landing 30 of 46 punches, 29 of which were power shots (39 thrown). Kudos to Garcia, who stayed in the pocket all fight. #DavisvsGarcialive pic.twitter.com/626cX1n3U6

– CompuBox (@CompuBox) January 8, 2023

Venezuelan Villa surprises ‘Speedy’ Ellis with controversy

A powerful finish to the championship rounds, including two knockdowns in the 12th round, was what it took for Venezuelan welterweight Roiman Villa (26-1-0, 24 KO’s) to rally to a controversial majority decision win over American Rashidi. Ellis (24-1-0, 15 KO’s).

Two judges saw the South American win with the same score of 114-112, while the other impartial gave a tie at 113-113.

“Ellis was a very tough opponent who moved around a lot and hits hard. I was a little tense in the opening rounds, but then I was able to let go,” Villa said. “I went after him from the first round. I knew he was going to burn out sooner or later, and I took advantage of that.”

Ellis had dominated most of the match living up to his alias. He set the tempo at will and nullified the power of Villa, who showed assimilation, but his slowness made it easy for the American fighter to evade, who was heading for a comfortable victory. The numbers revealed by Compubox in the first nine rounds are the cocount of the difference on the ring.

Boots gets much needed experience vs. a master boxer with a solid chin. 88 of Ennis’ 203 landed punches were body shots which helped take some of the wind out of Chukhadzhian’s sails. pic.twitter.com/ePJlWFtSde

– CompuBox (@CompuBox) January 8, 2023

However, in the championship rounds, Villa began to land power shots on a more static and less offensive Ellis, evidently depleted from exertion in the first nine rounds.

The scene was served for the last round when Villa, aware that he was behind on the scorecards, sent Ellis to the canvas twice, enough to generate a difference of 10-7 on the judges’ ballots, a score that reached him to come back and succeed in the most important fight of his career.

“My corner told me to knock him down in the last round. I persevered and I triumphed,” said the fighter who lives in Colombia. “If he wants a rematch, I’ll give him a rematch. I like how Mexican boxers fight with limps…, and I also admire his way of fighting, so he would give it to him.”

“I want the rematch right away. I’m fine (physically). I thought I was dictating the terms of the fight and I don’t know what happened,” replied a frustrated Ellis. “I don’t agree with the judges at all. I won most of the rounds. Yes, he knocked me down, but I won most of the rounds.”

Demetrius Andrade shines at super middleweight

After about 14 months without fighting, ‘Boo Boo’ Andrade (32-0-0, 19 KO’s) made his debut at 168 pounds in style against Demond Nicholson (26-5-1, 22 KO’s) who he defeated by unanimous decision in a 10-round call-up.

All three judges saw Andrade win 100-88.

Ellis dominated the majority of the fight with his jab, before Villa’s power emerged. Villa had a 64-24 edge in power landed over last 2 rounds and dropped Ellis 2x in 12th. @ShowtimeBoxing pic.twitter.com/nb56iNMd5t

– CompuBox (@CompuBox) January 8, 2023

“I felt good. I definitely felt the difference in weight, but both speed and combinations and my intelligence were the key for today,” he said after the fight. “The only way to be the best is to face the best. Everyone knows Demond Nicholson is fierce, which is why I agreed to fight him. He proved it tonight.”

The American boxer, who has unsuccessfully pursued a fight against Mexican superstar Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez, dropped his opponent in the second round with a powerful straight left hand. Then, in the tenth round, he sent him to the canvas again with a combination of punches.

one-sided decision win for Andrade, who landed 54% of his power punches, while limiting Nicholson to 28 landed punches-tied for 3rd fewest in a 10-round fight in CompuBox history. pic.twitter.com/oKMrUlkYpZ

– CompuBox (@CompuBox) January 8, 2023

Andrade, a double world champion (middleweight and super welterweight), came out more aggressive than usual, unleashing 4-5 combinations and up to 6 punches, to feast on Nicholson over the first five rounds.

From the sixth, Andrade lowered the intensity, but Nicholson did nothing more than protect himself from the power, speed and precision of his opponent.

UNDERCARD RESULTS: January 7: Capital One Arena, Washington DC

• Gervonta Davis G (TKO-9/12) Hector Luis Garcia, lightweight

• Jaron Ennis G (DU-12/12) Karen Chukhadzhian, welterweight

• Rashidi Ellis P (DM-12/12) Roiman Villa, welterweight

• Demetrius Andrade G (UD 10/10) Demond Nicholson, super middleweight

• Vito Mielnicki Jr. G (TKO-4/10) Omar Rosales, super welterweight

• Kyrone Davis G (DU-8/8) Cristian Fabian, super middleweight

• Brandon Lee G (TKO-4/8) Diego Gonzalo Luque, super lightweight

•Travon Marshall G (TKO-1/8) Shawn West, super welterweight

•Lamont Peterson P (TKO-4/6) Michael Ogundo, super lightweight

•Keeshawn Williams G (DU-6/6) Gustavo David Vittori, welterweight

• Mia Ellis G (TKO-1/4) Karen Dulin, women’s lightweight

• Khalil Major Hackett G (TKO-1/4) Joel Guevara, welterweight