Budding lightweight competitor Ryan Garcia and former champion Javier Fortuna agreed on terms for a fight this summer, a source confirmed to ESPN.
In March, Garcia was ordered by the WBC to fight Fortuna in defense of the interim WBC Lightweight title. The winner will likely take on Devin Haney, who has the highest tire in the sanctioning body in the 135-pound division.
The location and date have yet to be determined, but sources have confirmed to ESPN that it is unlikely to take place on July 10, the same date as UFC 264 with the trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. The news of the fight between Garcia and Fortuna was first reported by The Athletic.
Garcia (21-0, 18 KO’s) beats Luke Campbell in January, the toughest fight in the 22-year-old’s young career. Once the junior lightweight champion, Fortuna (36-2-1, 25 KOs) has won three consecutive fights since a non-match against Adrian Granados in 2018.
Friday’s development comes exactly two weeks before a planned cash offer if the promoters of Garcia and Fortuna fail to reach an agreement.
Garcia, who has one of the biggest social media followers in boxing, has long been considered one of Golden Boy Promotions’ top prospects. Garcia defeated Campbell in a seventh round TKO via a large body shot, Garcia’s fifth straight win by knockout.