Gervonta Davis only managed one fight in 2022, and he will hope to have a fair few more this year, beginning just days into the New Year, as ‘Tank’ defends his WBA lightweight title against Hector Luis Garcia in a twelve rounder at Capital One Arena in Washington.
Davis vs Garcia is live on SHOWTIME pay-per-view in the USA, whilst the fight can be seen on FITE TV pay-per-view in the UK.
Davis (27-0, 25 KOs) will be thankful just to get to the ring, having had a brush with the law in the build-up.
The 28-year-old was arrested for a domestic violence charge and then later released on bail, only for his accuser to then retract her version of events, so he is clear to fight in the American capital.
Davis, who can edge closer to a mouthwatering showdown with Ryan Garcia with victory, has been largely flawless in his pro career so far, winning world titles at super featherweight, lightweight and super lightweight.
He really came to the fore in 2020, knocking out Leo Santa Cruz in six, and has won three more times since.
The Baltimore man was last in action in May, defending his WBA lightweight crown, given a test by Rolando Romero before finding the power punches to force a sixth round stoppage.
Dominican Garcia (16-0, 10 KOs) is a decent enough test and the 31-year-old has only recently broken through in the pro ranks.
The 31-year-old defeated Chris Colbert in his first twelve rounder on the cards in February and he followed that up by winning the WBA super featherweight title in an upset points victory over Roger Gutierrez in August 2022.
Prediction: Davis will hope this year sees some big fights for him, and he should turn back the challenge of Garcia handily enough, taking a wide points win.
Ennis clashes with Chukhadzhian
Jaron Ennis is a name that is expected to make the full world title breakthrough in 2023, and ‘Boots’ takes the first step towards that, with an interim IBF welterweight title clash against Ukraine’s Karen Chukhadzhian.
Ennis (29-0, 27 KOs) is a knockout artist, with only two opponents hearing the final bell, the last time in 2017.
The Philadelphia native was last out in May, knocking out Custio Clayton in two rounds.
Chukhadzhian (21-1, 11 KOs) is a solid European fighter, and has picked up the IBF International bauble to get this chance.
The 26-year-old was last seen in July, forcing Blake Minto to retire after six rounds.
Prediction: I can’t see Chukhadzhian being any sort of match for Ennis here, and I think the American will score another devastating win inside the first four rounds.
Andrade returns
Demetrius Andrade (31-0, 19 KOs) makes a super middleweight debut after seeing a WBO middleweight title defence against Zach Parker in England fail to materialise, and he should have more than enough to see off Demond Nicholson (26-4-1, 22 KOs) over ten rounds, likely to be a win on the cards.
Ellis faces Villa
Rashidi Ellis (24-0, 15 KOs) is one to watch this year, and the American welterweight can take a decision win against Venezuelan banger Roiman Villa (25-1, 24 KOs) over twelve.
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Remaining Undercard
Lamont Peterson (35-5-1, 17 KOs) hasn’t fought since 2019, and the former two-weight world champion lost three in his previous five, but returns here in what should be a routine points win over six at super lightweight against Kenyan Michael Ogundo (16-16, 13 KOs).
Peterson’s brother, Anthony Peterson (39-1-1, 25 KOs) also sees action over six, and the 37-year-old can halt Raul Chirino (21-16, 13 KOs) in their ten stone tussle.
In eight rounders, Vito Mielnicki Jr (13-1, 8 KOs) can outscore Omar Rosales (9-1-1, 5 KOs) at super welterweight, and at super middleweight, Kyrone Davis (16-3-1, 6 KOs) returns from a stoppage defeat to David Benavidez, and should take a points win against Cristian Fabian Rios (23-15-3, 7 KOs).
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At super lightweight, the unbeaten Brandun Lee (26-0, 22 KOs) can take an early win against Argentina’s Diego Gonzalo Luque (21-10-2, 10 KOs). Travon Marshall (6-0, 5 KOs) can take another early win in his super welterweight affair with Shawn West (7-2-1, 4 KOs).
In six round action, Keeshawn Williams (10-1-1, 2 KOs) can stop Gustavo David Vittori (27-11-1, 12 KOs) at welterweight.
There are two four rounders on the bill.
Mia Ellis (5-1, 4 KOs) can take a points win at lightweight against Karen Dulin (5-25-1, 3 KOs), and Jalil Major Hackett (4-0, 3 KOs) should remove Joel Guevara (4-8-1, 3 KOs) early in their welterweight contest.
