Rumours of a left-field bout between WBC welterweight world champion Ryan Garcia and boxing icon Floyd Mayweather surfaced earlier this month.
Garcia has publicly addressed the talk, confirming that an offer is on the table but setting strict conditions for his participation.
Taking to social media, the 28-year-old active champion outright rejected the idea of an exhibition match, stating that he will only accept a licensed professional contest that puts Mayweather’s legendary 50-0 undefeated record at risk.
In his comments on X, Garcia claimed that Mayweather was the one who initiated contact, stating:
“I’m ready Floyd, remember you made this call. I’m just returning the favor. Offer is on the table … Let’s see how much you love that ‘0’… And no I wouldn’t do an exhibition I want his 0 on the f—ing line”.
Mayweather has not fought in a sanctioned professional bout since his 2017 victory over Conor McGregor, competing exclusively in exhibitions since that time. A scheduled professional return in a rematch against Manny Pacquiao was postponed due to legal issues on the American’s side.
Despite all of the above, four-weight champion Adrien Broner recently told Garcia to his face that Mayweather beats him.
“Floyd [wins]. Floyd gonna smoke bruh.”
Garcia was then animated about the potential fight, saying:
“I’ll knock out Floyd. If I get him hurt, it’s over. I’m not letting him go. I’ve seen him, he’s a small man. I don’t give a f**k what his name is, I don’t believe in acronyms. You know what? F**k him.”
Most fans will remain unconvinced that the fight happens, and be content with that given Mayweather’s age and inactivity.
Garcia – who recently defended his belt with a blistering second round stoppage over Conor Benn – instead seems poised to face Teofimo Lopez in a welterweight unification bout, that is if Lopez’s appeal to the WBA to bypass mandatory challenger Jack Catterall is successful.
