Boxing
Did the rehydration clause cause Ryan Garcia's loss to Gervonta Davis? Bernard Hopkins gives his verdict
Watch Canelo vs. Ryder live May 6 on DAZN
Bernard Hopkins believes the strict rehydration clause imposed on Ryan Garcia did not play a part in his loss to Gervonta Davis on April 22.
When the fight was announced at a 136lb catchweight, it was revealed that Garcia had to meet a rehydration clause on the day of the contest in order for it to go ahead.
This led to many fans and experts wondering whether Garcia could withstand Davis' power when weight drained, and while 'King Ry' was stopped in the seventh round by a brutal body shot from Davis, Hopkins claimed that it was down to 'Tank's' assault to the body in the build-up to the finish.
"I don’t think it affected him [Ryan Garcia] to the point where he couldn’t perform the way he did," Hopkins told The DAZN Boxing Show when asked if the rehydration clause played any part in the fight.
"I don’t think it affected him where he looked like a skeleton on the scales, I thought Ryan looked great, his skin still had moisture in it when I watched him.
"I just think that he got caught with a shot that he didn’t see on the side of the liver or rib that was already bruised and breached."
Davis vs. Garcia marked the start of a run of big fights over the next months including the return of undisputed super middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, who will face John Ryder on May 6 live on DAZN and DAZN PPV.
The second part of Bernard Hopkins' interview with The DAZN Boxing Show is available to watch on the DAZN platform, click here for more information.
