As the boxing world eagerly anticipates the upcoming bout between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia, controversy has arisen surrounding the level of hype surrounding the fight. Boxing commentator Michael Montero’s old tweet resurfaced on Twitter in which he expressed his skepticism, arguing that in a different era, the matchup between the two young contenders would have been seen as little more than a “proving ground” fight between two largely unproven boxers.
However, not everyone is on board with Montero’s assessment. Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions, who is promoting the fight, fired back at Montero on Twitter, dismissing his comments as “entitled” and expressing satisfaction that Montero won’t be covering the event. With the stage set for an intense showdown between two of boxing’s rising stars, the controversy surrounding the hype of the event is sure to continue in the weeks leading up to the fight.
Montero’s comments and comparison to the 1990s boxing landscape
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Davis vs Garcia is being hailed as one of the most eagerly awaited fights in recent history, with numerous boxing fans and analysts thrilled to witness two of the sport’s most promising young fighters compete in the squared circle. Nevertheless, Montero’s remarks have ignited a discussion about whether the buzz surrounding the bout is warranted. Ellerbe’s response indicates that he is defensive about the fight and eager to guarantee its success.
Entitled to his opinion, I’m glad he won’t be covering it lol https://t.co/feCi5fzMfZ
— Leonard Ellerbe (@LEllerbe) March 29, 2023
Montero’s argument draws a comparison to the boxing scene of the 1990s, a time when the sport was arguably at its zenith in terms of popularity and competitiveness. At that time, a fight between two untested up-and-comers like Davis and Garcia might have been viewed as a “proving ground” bout rather than a top-billed occasion deserving of pay-per-view recognition.
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Montero’s statements mirror a perception that has been gaining traction within the boxing community, with numerous supporters and specialists expressing dissatisfaction at the dearth of genuinely riveting matchups in the sport.
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Watch this story: Ryan Garcia sends his best wishes to Gervonta Davis
However, Ellerbe’s response is also understandable given the context of the fight. Mayweather Promotions is heavily invested in Davis, who is widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters in the sport today. Davis has a record of 28-0 with 26 knockouts, and his explosive style has won him a legion of fans. Garcia, meanwhile, has a record of 23-0 with 19 knockouts and is seen as a rising star in the sport.
Sold-Out Event: Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia set to clash in front of capacity crowd
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The fight between Davis and Garcia has been in the works for some time, and both fighters have been promoting it heavily on social media. It’s worth noting that tickets for Davis vs. Garcia have already sold out, further cementing the event’s status as a highly anticipated and talked-about matchup. Given the level of interest in the matchup, it’s not surprising that Ellerbe would take offense at Montero’s comments. Whether or not the fight lives up to the hype remains to be seen, but it’s clear that both sides are heavily invested in making it a success.
However, the question remains – will Davis vs. Garcia live up to the hype? Time will be the judge. Nevertheless, regardless of the result, this bout has instigated a broader dialogue about the state of modern boxing and the scarcity of engaging matchups. As both fans and analysts continue to converse and deliberate, the future of the sport will undoubtedly be intriguing to watch.
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