Boxing legend Erik Morales has shared his thoughts on the possible Ryan Garcia vs Teofimo Lopez showdown.
Garcia retained his WBC welterweight title with a second round stoppage win over Conor Benn in September, and was immediately linked to a unification clash with WBA titleholder Lopez.
‘The Takeover’ claimed that belt with a majority decision win over Rolly Romero in August, and a clash against Garcia would certainly be one of the biggest fights to be made in boxing.
One man who had his fair share of huge bouts was Morales, who became the first Mexico-born fighter in history to become a four-weight world champion, having legendary battles with the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera along the way.
Speaking to Luis Parra, Morales explained how he could see a possible Garcia vs. Lopez match-up unfolding.
“Difficult, difficult, because we go back to the same old story. The styles complement each other, and styles make fights. In this case, Teofimo has better boxing, he has better movement. He can catch Ryan with a good punch and that’s the end of the story.”
“Ryan can handle him, but it’s not that easy because Teofimo isn’t a fighter who keeps his hands up. He carries his hands down here. I think if he fights like that, Ryan is going to catch him quickly. But if he puts his hands up, fights seriously and brings a little strategy to it, it’s going to be difficult for Ryan.”
One issue that could prevent the fight from taking place is Lopez’s ordered mandatory, having been tasked with defend his title against Jack Catterall.
Meanwhile, Garcia is looking to get out again this year in December, though has not yet secured an opponent for what would be the second defence of his world title.
If the pair do unify, the winner will be well-placed to secure further title clashes with the division’s remaining champions in Devin Haney and Liam Paro.
