Boxing News: Ryan Garcia KOs Luke Campbell, Wants Gervonta Davis Next

Ryan Garcia likely needed a knockdown to focus against Luke Campbell in their scheduled 12-round showdown at the American Airlines Center Saturday in Dallas, Texas, for the interim WBC Lightweight Championship.

After being carried to the ring on a throne, the 22-year-old American got the scare of his life when he got knocked down in the second round by Campbell. It was the first time Garcia had been knocked down in his career. It was also the first time for him to fight beyond the first round and beat the count, and he admitted that he got too excited, Boxingscene reported.

“I got too excited in the moment,” admitted Garcia. “I felt I could just walk him down, but he ended up cracking me. So, I had to adjust and calm down. I knew that I could beat him.”

He did just that and focused. It brought him back to his senses, aware that this fight with the Brit would not be a walk in the park.

“I had to show that I was a warrior. I was a little dizzy with the knockdown, but I wasn’t worried. He’s not used to going forward, so I just knew I had to cover up,” Garcia said.

"KingRy's" resilience paid off in the seventh round. A brutal left hook to the body hurt the 33-year-old, taking a knee and left writhing in pain, Sky Sports reported. Campbell was unable to beat the 10-count, resulting in a massive celebration. Among those who joined Garcia in the ring was Mexican boxing icon Canelo Alvarez.

It was the second consecutive loss for Campbell and the fourth of his career. He faced Vasyl Lomachenko in August 2019 and lost via unanimous decision. His last boxing win was in March of the same year when he won via technical knockout against Adrian Yung.

“I tried and tried to get up, but I couldn’t. I felt him coming on, and I was moving back, and when you move back my body relaxed a little bit and that’s the exact time he hit me,” Campbell said after the match.

As for Garcia, the victory makes him the mandatory challenger to Devin Haney. The 22-year-old is also undefeated and is the full WBC lightweight champion. However, “The Flash” has someone else in mind — Gervonta Davis.

“I want to be a man of my word. I want Gervonta 'Tank' Davis next,” Garcia insisted. “I am ready. People are worried about that one. I want Tank Davis.”