One of boxing’s new stars, Ryan Garcia, is on everyone’s lips. Not only because of his latest fights that have positioned him as a serious contender, but also because his next fight would be against historic Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao. Ryan Garcia thought of the four-time world champion in two different categories, Gervonta Davis, until one call up changed everything.
“My heart loved Gervonta Davis and that’s what I was focused on. But suddenly you get a call and they say, ‘You can fight Manny Pacquiao. What are you going to say to that? Ryan Garcia said in an exclusive interview for ESPN Digital. “One of your heroes, one of the people you admire the most, and they tell you you have the chance to face him, I said we’re going for it one hundred percent.”
The big question for now is whether the fight is taking place, whether it would be an exhibition or a formal fight.
“I can’t say anything about that, but it’s the same question everyone has: will it be an exhibition or will it be a real fight? But I can say this, you have two people in the ring with 8 or 10 ounce gloves, no head protection, tell me if that would be an exhibition or a real one, we are two real fighters. I’m not gonna throw lies, and neither is he. You can call it whatever you want, but it will be a fight. I’ll punch like I want to knock out Pacquiao, ”said Garcia.
Pacquiao is the current welterweight monarch of the World Boxing Association, after defeating American Keith Thurman in July 2019. Ryan, for his part, comes from beating Luke Campbell for the World Boxing Council interim lightweight title.
(The weight problem) It can be solved very easily, I am willing to do what needs to be done. Whatever Manny wants in weight, I’ll do it. I’m a big fighter, I’m not a little 135 (pounds), I’m tall, so if I have to go from weight (to welterweight) I will do it, ”said Ryan.
Young Garcia, only 22 years old, is 20 years younger than Pacquiao, 42. In 2008, when Ryan was only 10 years old, Manny defeated Oscar de la Hoya, Garcia’s now promoter under Golden Boy Promotions.
“I was very young, but I remember him (Manny) beating my other hero, Oscar de la Hoya. I remember looking and saying, oh Oscar please throw some punches! I became a Manny fan there. When he also knocked out Ricky Hatton with one strike. He hit everyone then, Miguel Cotto, everyone, ”Ryan recalled.
The rising boxer took everyone by surprise a few weeks ago when he knocked out Luke Campbell. The English boxer, an Olympic medalist in London 2012, suffered his fourth defeat, the first by knockout, by Garcia. Ryan overcame a takedown early in the fight and then managed to send Campbell to the canvas in the seventh round.
“That victory has done me a lot, it showed people who I really am. A lot of people had questions that led to that fight, can Ryan take the blows? Can Ryan fight an Olympic medalist at an elite level? This boxer gave great fights against Jorge Linares and Vasyl Lomachenko, but neither knocked him out. First I showed that I can take punches, I fell and got up again, then I knocked him out with a body shot. If you had any questions about whether he could hit the body, now you know. “
García, who is coached by Mexican Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez, with whom he also shares a coach at Eddy Reynoso, is up for the challenge and wants to grow further in his career.
“This time I’ll take Manny’s flashlight, it’s my turn. I’ll be the fighter to do it. That fight will break records, I tell you, ”said the young California resident.
Garcia’s career is on the rise. His last three fights against Romero Duno, Francisco Fonseca and Luke Campbell have made the boxing industry see him as a serious contender. Garcia’s seriousness has often been questioned due to his popularity of millions of followers on social media.
“People underestimate what the current age of social media means and how powerful it is. My post (on Instagram) mentioning Manny, you can’t imagine the numbers and what caused it. They will see what this fight will be ”.
Nicknamed ‘King Ry’ has a score of 21 wins, 18 as a knockout. Ryan is clear about his professional ambitions, facing Pac-Man would be a dream come true and his 2021 wishes are ambitious.
“I would beat Gervota (Davis) and Manny (Pacquiao) in the same year, that would be my perfect 2021. I can’t wait to see what happens, it will be beautiful and I’m thrilled, ”he concluded.