Marie Y. Lemelle, MBA
Inside the KA Theater at the MGM Grand, the final press conference featuring the main event and the undercard, was filled with accusations, insults and threats. Undefeated rivals and boxing superstars Gervonta “Tank” Davis and “King” Ryan Garcia went face-to-face for the first-time during fight week at Thursday’s final press conference before they meet this Saturday, April 22 in a SHOWTIME PPV production broadcast from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“He’s delusional if he thinks he’s knocking me out. That’s it,” said Davis. Shots were fired from both fighter’s camps. “I’m ready to do what I do,” said Garcia. “I’m gonna end him, I promise that. It’s over.”
The event, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, is promoted by GTD Promotions, TGB Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
The press conference also featured fighters competing on the pay-per-view undercard including WBA Super Middleweight Champion David Morrell Jr. and Olympic® Bronze Medalist Yamaguchi Falcao, who meet in the co-main event, super middleweight sluggers Gabriel Rosado and Bektemir Melikuziev, who battle in a 10-round rematch, and Arizona’s hard-hitting 19-year-old middleweight Elijah Garcia and Mexico’s 25-year-old Kevin Salgado, who will duel in the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Morrell, Jr. (8-0, 7 KOs) is a Cuban-native who came to Minneapolis to begin his pro career in 2019. The 25-year-old, who trains in Texas with renowned coach Ronnie Shields, will battle Falcao in a scheduled 12 round bout.
A 2012 Olympian, “The Problem” Falcao (24-1-1) replaces Ghanaian power-puncher Sena “The African Assassin” Agbeko, who was originally scheduled to face Morrell but was forced to withdraw after not being licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
“Although I have a new opponent, the mission is still the same: seek and destroy,” said Morrell Jr. “I’ve been fighting my whole life. I’ve seen every style and I’m prepared to face anyone that’s in front of me. It’s go time as usual. Don’t miss this fight!”
Hailing from Sao Mateus, Espirito Santo, Brazil, 35-year-old Falcao has won eight-straight bouts heading into April 22, earned him five victories, including knocking out Ernest Amuzu in December.
“People should know that I’m an Olympic medalist, that I’m very talented and that I’m here to make history and shock the world,” said Falcao. “I want to leave my imprint on the world right here in Las Vegas and let everyone know that I’ve arrived. “I stand by my words that I’m gonna knock him out. I love Cuban boxing, but Saturday is gonna be my night. I’m a problem.”
The fighters took the platform to tell their opponents and fans what was on their mind and what to expect on fight night.
“The fans know that they’re gonna get my best. I’m a Philadelphia warrior. It’s not just about winning, it’s about how I win,” said Rosado. “It’s hard to top that first knockout, but I’m coming to give a great performance and I can’t wait.”
Merlikuziev took a calmer approach to his rebuttal to Rosado. “He can think whatever he wants. I have no problem with it,” said Merlikuziev. “I can just promise that it’s gonna be a great fight and be action packed. Whatever happened in the first fight already happened, I’m going to do my talking inside of the ring.”
Based on the words exchanged between all the fighters, but especially Davis and Garcia at the April 20 press conference, mayhem is sure to be the theme on Saturday night.
“I touch that jaw and I’m telling you, you’re going to sleep,” said Davis. “I’ll probably break your jaw.”
“Everything is coming to a halt for you on Saturday night,” said Garcia. “You’re gonna learn the hard way.”
On April 21, the official Davis v. Garcia Fight Card weigh-in was open to the public and attended by thousands of fans in the Toshiba Plaza at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The energic crowd witnessed the rising heat between Davis and Garcia, who both made weight, when pushing and shoving created chaos on stage after their weigh-in.
When the dust settles in the ring on Saturday night, who will be wearing the crown as the best and the baddest fighter in boxing?
For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com and goldenboypromotions.com, follow #DavisGarcia, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotions and @GoldenBoyBoxing, on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing, @TGBPromotionss and @GoldenBoy or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ShowtimeBoxing, www.Facebook.com/premierboxingchampions/ and www.Facebook.com/goldenboy/
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Marie Y. Lemelle, MBA is a global public relations consultant, playwright, book author, and film producer. She is the founder and owner of Platinum Star Public Relations, Platinum Star Media Group, The Black Hollywood Entertainment, a non-profit, and other business enterprises.
