WBA world lightweight champion Gervonta Davis was ecstatic after registering a seventh-round knockout win over Ryan Garcia, handing him his first professional loss. Moreover, both fighters even agreed to a winner-take-all fight with regard to the fight purse. But ‘Tank’ didn’t follow up with that approach after winning the fight. Hollywood action star Michael Jai White believes that Davis rejecting to take Garcia’s paycheck has only made him a fan favorite.

The fight between Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia was a financial success, to say the least. The fight racked up just over $100 million in revenue, making it the biggest fight of the year.

Gervonta Davis turns down Ryan Garcia’s fight purse despite the informal bet

After their informal wager in a session on Instagram Live, many people felt that ‘Tank’ might go ahead and take Garcia’s purse after the knockout win. However, during the post-fight press conference, Davis turned down that offer and said that Ryan Garcia can keep his earnings from the fight. He said, “Nah, he can take the money. He can take it.”

Ryan Garcia would have found himself missing on a big paycheck if Gervonta Davis went ahead and added the informal wager in their fight contract. The event was reportedly sold out in Las Vegas and the gate for the fight was around $20 million.

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Moreover, his informal bet with Davis is a good reminder that putting money on the line is not always a good idea.

Michael Jai White believes ‘Tank’ attained more fans after refusing Garcia’s fight purse

The 55-year-old action star weighed in on the informal wager incident and believes that this wasn’t the first time fighters have put their purses on the line. He believes that Gervonta Davis’s decision to turn down Garcia’s purse just earned him a lot more fans than he had previously. Michal Jai White said, “Man, ‘Tank’ got a whole lot of new fans behind that.”

Additionally, Michael Jai White mentioned that he really likes Davis’s demeanor because very few people have the honor with regard to money. He said, “I love his attitude and how he’s just like, because especially in these times when people are like just… there’s no honor anymore.” 

The action star also commended Davis for not trying to chastize Garcia after he had already lost the fight. White added, “For him [Davis] to show that [honor], it’s like, ‘C’mon, this dude is suffering enough. I don’t have to berate him.'” Moreover, Michael Jai White claims that Gervonta Davis was levels above Ryan Garcia as a boxer, and avoiding snatching the 24-year-old’s purse just shows his sportsmanship. Furthermore, ‘Tank’ did mention that Garcia was his best opponent so far.

It was clear from Ryan Garcia’s silence at the post-fight press conference that he wanted to keep his purse. However, things turned out for the better as both fighters went home with their paycheck with them.

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