An update has been provided on the potential Ryan Garcia vs Floyd Mayweather fight following Garcia’s comments talks were progressing rapidly.
Garcia secured his first world title earlier this year, beating Mario Barrios to secure the WBC welterweight belt.
In his first defence, the 28 year old stopped Conor Benn inside two rounds – a performance that solidified his status as one of the sport’s biggest stars.
After calling out Isaac Cruz, targeting a rematch with Gervonta Davis and reportedly entering negotiations with WBA champion Teofimo Lopez for a unification – despite Lopez’s mandatory order to face Jack Catterall – Garcia was rumoured to be in shock talks to bring Mayweather out of retirement, almost ten years on from hanging up the gloves.
Garcia said that Mayweather was to challenge for the WBC belt, which he held twice during his career, putting his 50-0 undefeated record on the line after years on the exhibition circuit.
Speaking to Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger, Garcia’s lawyer and advisor, Guadalupe Valencia, said:
“A fight between Ryan and Floyd would be the biggest-earning fight in boxing history, and would break all viewership records. Period.
“When Floyd is free from other obligations, we will certainly work to make this fight happen; hopefully real soon. This would only be a real fight – not an exhibition – with Mayweather’s 50-0 on the line.”
As many expected, the statement confirms that, despite Garcia’s announcement that the fight was agreed, it goes to the back of the queue for Mayweather, who has commited to other outings first and had legal issues surrounding them.
An exhibition against Mike Tyson and a professional rematch against Manny Pacquiao seems to be the current order for the American’s return, and many things could happen to halt the Garcia plans – including the young champion’s own upcoming activity.
