Two-division world champion David Haye has offered his thoughts on the proposed encounter between Ryan Garcia and Floyd Mayweather.
Mayweather has been linked to a rematch with Manny Pacquiao throughout 2026, with Netflix at one point announcing the blockbuster event for September, only for the battle to be postponed until 2027 but left without a fight date.
Then, ‘TBE’ began to be mentioned for a bid for Garcia’s WBC 147lb title, a challenge which could potentially see Mayweather become the oldest world champion in the history of boxing.
Speaking to iFL TV, Haye admitted that he is not a fan of the fight, believing that it would be shame to see Mayweather lose his iconic 50-fight undefeated record due to age rather than being outclassed.
“I don’t like the thought of him having a loss not because someone is better than him but because someone is just younger and fresher than him.
“In Mayweather’s prime, or even at the end of his career when he was past his prime, that would be significantly enough of Mayweather to beat a Ryan Garcia, for instance.”
Haye believes the fight will come down to whether Mayweather has maintained his body, reflexes and punch resistance.
“If he loses, does that undo his legacy in some way, shape or form and if he is to win, where does it end? When he is 55, when he is 60? At some stage you are going to roll the dice and you are going to come off second best.
“So, it is not a matter of ‘is he good enough?’ Yes, he is good enough. It’s whether he has maintained his body, his reflexes and his punch resistance.”
“In 50 years time, who cares what his age was? [It is about] did he win or did he lose and I wouldn’t want to see Floyd Mayweather lose.”
Before Garcia-Mayweather can potentially happen, the 49-year-old will first face Australia’s Matt Floyd in an exhibition bout, which is scheduled to take place in Bangkok on Saturday, December 19.
