Ryan Garcia has rated Floyd Mayweather as one of the all-time greats, while having also expressed an interest in facing the former five-division world champion.
Reports of their potential contest emerged earlier this month, with Garcia insisting that he would only fight the Hall of Famer in a professional bout.
That way, he would get the chance to scupper Mayweather’s iconic 50-0 record, while perhaps even retaining his WBC title in a ludicrously-sanctioned voluntary defence.
As for Mayweather, many are speculating that the 49-year-old is experiencing financial difficulties and, therefore, has decided to explore the possibility of a comeback.
He was, of course, scheduled to have a rematch with Manny Pacquiao last month, only to be hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit for breaching his contract with CSI Sports.
Yet despite his complicated life outside the ring, ‘TBE’ remains a widely-revered figure in boxing and, rightfully so, is considered one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in history.
Speaking with Club Shay Shay, Garcia even included Mayweather in his ‘Mount Rushmore’ of boxers, along with three other legends of the sport.
“I would say Muhammad Ali has to be on there. Sugar Ray Leonard, for me, has to be on there. Sugar Ray Robinson has to be on there. And then Floyd Mayweather world have to be on there.”
While having expressed an openness to face Mayweather, fresh reports suggest that Garcia is now closing in on a Teofimo Lopez showdown.
In theory, this would be a unification match at 147lbs but, in reality, Lopez may need to vacate his WBA strap if he fails to defend it against mandatory challenger Jack Catterall.
