One of the new boxing stars, Ryan Garcia, is on everyone’s lips. Not only because of his latest fights that have positioned him as a serious contender, but because his next fight would be against the historic Filipino boxer, Manny Pacquiao. Ryan Garcia’s mind was set on four-time world champion in two different categories, Gervonta Davis, until one call changed everything.
“My heart wanted Gervonta Davis and I was focused on that. But all of a sudden you get a call and they say, ‘you can fight Manny Pacquiao.’ What do you 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 a chance to face it, I said let’s go for it one hundred percent.”
The big question for now is, if the fight materializes, whether it would be an exhibition or a formal fight.
“I can’t say any of that, but it’s the same question they all have, will it be a display, or will it be a real fight? But can I say that, you have two people in the ring with 8 or 10 ounce gloves, no protection in your head, tell me if this would be a show or real, we are two real fighters. I will not throw blows of lies, nor will he. They can call him whatever they want, but it will be a fight. I will throw blows as if I wanted knock out Pacquiao, “Garcia said.
Pacquiao is the current welterweight monarch of the World Boxing Association, after defeating American Keith Thurman in July 2019. Ryan, meanwhile, has just beaten Luke Campbell by the interim scepter of lightweight of the World Boxing Council.
“(The weight issue) It can be fixed very easily, I’m willing to do whatever needs to be done. Whatever Manny wants in terms of weight, I’ll do it. I’m a big fighter, I’m not a 135 (free) small, I’m big, so if I have to gain weight (a welter) I’ll do it, “Ryan said.
Young Garcia, just 22 years old, is 20 years younger than Pacquiao, 42. In 2008, when Ryan was just 10 years old, Manny defeated Oscar de la Foia, now Garcia’s promoter under Golden Boy Promotions.
“He was very young, but I remember him (Manny) beating up my other hero, Oscar de la Foia, I remember watching and saying, oh Oscar throws a few shots please! I became a fan of Manny here. When he also knocked out Ricky Hatton at once. He was beating everyone at the moment, Miguel Cotto, everyone, “Ryan recalled.
The rising boxing star surprised everyone a couple of weeks ago when he knocked out Luke Campbell. The English boxer, Olympic medalist in London 2012, suffered his fourth defeat, first by knockout, at the hands of Garcia. Ryan overcame an early overthrow in combat, then managed to send Campbell to the canvas in the seventh round.
“That win did a lot for me, it showed people who I really am. A lot of people had questions before this fight, can Ryan stand the blows? Can Ryan fight at the elite level in front of an Olympic medalist? This boxer goes gave big fights in front of Jorge Linares and Vasyl Lomachenko, but none knocked him out.First, I showed that I could get punched, fell and got up again, and then knocked him out with a blow to the body.If they had questions about whether it could hit the body, now they know. “
Garcia, who is mentored by Mexican Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez, with whom he also shares a coach with Eddy Reynoso, is ready for the challenge and wants to continue growing in his career.
“This time I’ll take Manny’s torch, it’s my turn. I’ll be the fighter to do it. This fight will break records, I tell you,” the young California native said.
Garcia’s career has been on the rise. His last three fights against Romero Duno, Francisco Fonseca and Luke Campbell have caused the boxing industry to turn to see him as a serious contender. Garcia’s seriousness was often questioned, due to his popularity with millions of followers on social media.
“People are underestimating what the current social media era means and how powerful it is. My post (on Instagram) mentioning Manny’s, you can’t imagine the numbers and what caused it. They’ll see what it will be this fight “.
The so-called ‘King Ry’ has a mark of 21 wins, 18 by the knockout route. Ryan has clear professional aspirations, facing the Pac-Man would be a dream come true and his wishes for the year 2021, are ambitious.
“I would beat Gervota (Davis) and Manny (Pacquiao) in the same year, this would be my perfect 2021. I can’t wait to see what happens, it will be beautiful and I’m excited,” he concluded.