Mikey Garcia favours Lomachenko over Davis in potential 135lb bout

Mikey Garcia has backed Vasily Lomachenko to defeat Gervonta Davis if the two lightweight stars meet at their peak. The four-division world champion still identified Davis’s power and patience as major threats in a potential 135-pound contest.

Garcia’s view is based on the Ukrainian producing his best performance. He considers Lomachenko’s technical ability, movement and overall skill set difficult to overcome when the former champion is operating at his highest level.

Davis, however, would give Lomachenko a different problem. Garcia highlighted the American’s punching power and his ability to wait for openings before committing to a decisive shot. That combination, he believes, could change the fight with one clean attack.

The main uncertainty for Garcia is whether Lomachenko can return at the same level. Lomachenko retired last June but has since revealed plans to resume his career as he continues chasing an undisputed championship. Garcia suggested that time away could restore the Ukrainian’s motivation, while also acknowledging that age may work against him.

Davis has been out of action since March 2025, with legal issues contributing to his lengthy absence from the ring. The three-division world champion is targeting a return towards the end of the year or in early 2027.

Lomachenko’s comeback is expected to begin with a fight against Charly Suarez. Suarez had been due to challenge Emanuel Navarrete for unified world titles, but that mandatory opportunity was rearranged after a three-belt unification bout involving O’Shaquie Foster took priority.

The Davis-Lomachenko meeting has been discussed for several years and appeared to lose momentum when Lomachenko retired. Their planned returns have reopened the possibility, although Garcia’s assessment rests on both men reaching their best form on the same night.