FILE —Mikey Garcia, center, smiles and poses for photos after defeating Adrien Broner during a boxing bout Saturday, July 29, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
MANILA, Philippines—Former four-division World champion Mikey Garcia is hopeful a match against Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao could happen in 2020.
According to FightHype.com, Garcia’s team has been in talks to face the WBA Suprt World welterweight champion but acknowledged that things are still in the fringes and nothing has been finalized.
Pacquiao had a spectacular 2019, defeating Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman.
“We’ve been discussing a fight against Manny Pacquiao for a long time now, and it seems like it’s very close and it can actually happen,” said Garcia. “He has some obligations [as a Philippine senator] right now. He’s still busy with that, but the last thing I heard, he’s interested in fighting in the early part of summer.”
“There’s still no opponent secured. That’s why I want to jump in and try to get that fight.”
Garcia (39-1), who jumped from lightweight to welterweight, last got into the ring on March 16, 2019 but lost to Errol Spence via unanimous decision that ended his incredible 39-fight winning streak.
Pacquiao, who’s nine years the senior of Garcia, meanwhile, has racked up three straight wins and five victories in his past six fights.
Garcia said he doesn’t mind where his bout against Pacquiao takes place but a Las Vegas event could be secured.
“Wherever the fans can enjoy it the most, most likely that fight lands in Vegas,” said Garcia. “Let’s be honest, we have most of our fans here. Not everyone is going to be able to make the trip out to Saudi Arabia or some exotic location, but I’m open to fighting anywhere else as well.”