Garcia Announces A Fight With Pacquiao – ‘It’s Coming Soon’
Ryan Garcia says he will box Manny Pacquiao in an exhibition in Japan later this year.
Garcia’s boxing career is in limbo following his one-year ban for Ostarine. Ryan tested positive after his win over Devin Haney, which became a no-contest. However, he was in Japan to see Manny take on ex-K-1 Champion Rukiya Anpo in an exhibition. He arrived at the weigh-in to show his support. Pacquiao looked out of sorts, as the 45-year-old was outclassed in the three-round exhibition. There was no official winner due to the absence of scoring, but Manny would have come out second-best if it had been implemented. Garcia then got in the ring and called out Pacquiao.
Garcia Reacts
“I would fight — what’s his name? Sean O’Malley? ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley? [And] Conor McGregor in bare-knuckle. But yes, it’s a very big possibility. I know how to wrestle, I know how to do a lot of things that people don’t know. So yeah, I would do it. I would knock out Suga Sean O’Malley’s rainbow hair off his head [in MMA]…I would love to fight Manny Pacquiao — in a real fight, though, 12 rounds. [And] I wouldn’t do an exhibition at all. I would want to do a real fight, old lion versus young lion,” Garcia said
During an appearance on a livestream with Vitaly, Garcia confirmed that he would have an exhibition later in the year. Although the location has not been finalized, there is a desire to make it in Japan.
“I was [in Japan figuring out] a fight date with Manny Pacquiao. Yeah, I’m going to fight him. This is the first time that it’s ever been announced. Yeah, it’s an exhibition. I am fighting Manny Pacquiao guys, let’s get it. It’s coming soon, I’m trying to work on [a date]. It will be at end of the year for sure. So, I’m trying to get more focused, stop drinking, and stop doing a lot of the [stuff] I was doing,” Garcia stated
Implications
The news is significant for both fighters moving forward. It allows Garcia to generate a big sum following his loss of earnings. The boxer has missed out on the lucrative opportunities from the Haney fight as he put himself in position for the mega fights with Gervonta Davis and even Errol Spence Jr. It also allows Garcia to keep himself in good shape, knowing he has something to aim for. Since his boxing ban will be over in April 2025, an exhibition fight in between could prepare him for a comeback.
But for Pacquiao, it rules out a fight with WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios. Manny was linked with a pro return since he retired in 2021 after the Yordenis Ugas loss. Sean Gibbons, who runs Manny’s promotional company, said the fight had to happen at the end of the year.
A Pacquiao win over Barrios would break his record of being the oldest welterweight champion. He set the record when he beat Keith Thurman to win the WBA Welterweight Belt at 40. A win over Barrios as a 45-year-old would eclipse that. However, a pro return seems unlikely based on the Filipino’s exhibition performance and a subsequent Garcia fight.
Comments
Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.
