Though this year’s showdown had its share of challenges, in 2023, Ryan Garcia helped craft one of the best-selling stories in boxing. Needless to say, Gervonta Davis played a pivotal role in that narrative. With 1.2 million pay-per-view buyouts that generated over $100 million in revenue, the April fight etched its name in boxing history among the biggest blockbusters of all time. Unsurprisingly, many voices have clamored for a rematch between the two.

The duel took place at 136 pounds catchweight. As a result, Ryan Garcia had to scale down, and then there was the rehydration clause. It is reportedly believed that the Californian could have done better at his natural walking weight. Hence, as Garcia himself suggested not so long ago, if a rematch with Davis is to happen, then it has to be in a different weight class. Oscar De La Hoya, for one, seems to agree.

Let’s raise the bar—Oscar De La Hoya

Oscar De La Hoya was speaking with Shannon Sharpe. With some half an hour left before the show ended, the conversation narrowed on Golden Boy Promotions’ brightest star. De La Hoya spoke about some of the most anticipated matchups in the current landscape, mentioning that fights capable of becoming mega-hits are increasingly becoming scarce, unless there’s a potential bout between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford or the ones involving Ryan Garcia.

That prompted Shannon Sharpe to check about the Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia II. “Would you like to see a rematch with Tank and Ryan at 140? Let’s just say 144,” he asked. “I’d love to see it at 147,” replied the Barcelona Olympics gold medalist. The response certainly raised an eyebrow. It could be a bit overwhelming for ‘Tank’ Davis, Sharpe suggested. ‘The Golden Boy’ also agreed.

He said, “It’s too much for Tank. Yeah, too much for Tank, but it still would be an incredible competitive fight because Tank, he has the dog in him.” The three-time Super Bowl champion concurred. He pointed out how, despite taking his time during the initial rounds, the Baltimorean stays strong under immense pressure. “He turns it up; oh man, it’s beautiful,” said ‘The Golden Boy’.

Strictly speaking, the emphasis on weight isn’t a new one. Soon after suffering his first loss, Ryan Garcia talked about the possibility of a rematch in an interview with Fight Hub TV. He revealed that he wants to get back in the ring again with ‘Tank’. However, if that has to happen, it would have to happen at the ‘right weight’.

Ryan Garcia versus Gervonta Davis: Resting on Chances

Following the Devin Haney fight, he reportedly called out Gervonta Davis for a rematch at 144-pound catch weight once the Baltimorean was done with Frank Martin’s challenge. “Everyone wanna talk about the little stupid Tank. Let’s fight nuff of that funny talk. Come see me at 144 and let stop the talk. If you beat Frank, let’s run it, @Gervontaa,” he said in an X post. But the million-dollar question is whether Davis would agree to such demands.

It’s not that Gervonta Davis hasn’t fought in a weight class above 135 pounds. In 2021, Tank faced Mario Barrios for the light welterweight title. However, as both Shannon Sharpe and Oscar De La Hoya discussed, fighting at a weight bordering the welterweight might raise several questions. Money-wise, the fight stands a good chance of pulling off a huge crowd again. But to risk everything when he has so much going on in the lightweight division—unification challenges against Shakur Stevenson or a heavy-duty fight with William Zepeda—might appear a safer bet to many fans.

Do you also agree that a Garcia-Davis rematch at 147 would be something to ask for from the Baltimorean?