Ryan Garcia to Pacquiao: ‘Please pass the torch to me’

Ryan Garcia celebrates after defeating Luke Campbell during the WBC Interim Lightweight Title fight at American Airlines Center on January 02, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. Tim Warner/Getty Images/AFP

MANILA, Philippines—Ryan Garcia is barely on the precipice of being an all-time great but he’s already looking at bigger things ahead.

In an interview with the Rich Eishen Show, the 22-year-old lightweight bared one simple wish, and that is for Manny Pacquiao to hand over the torch.

“Manny is that inspiration that makes you a legend. He has lost but eight weight class champion? That’s what you call a legend,” said Garcia, the WBC interim lightweight champion.

Before he faces Pacquiao—if ever that does happen—Garcia said he first wants to fight WBA “regular” lightweight champion Gervonta Davis.

Once that’s over, his next focus is going to be Pacquiao.

Garcia (21-0, 18 knockouts) believes that to become the superstar he wants to be, taking on Pacquiao is the most logical step for him to take.

“That’s why I feel like maybe after Gervonta, hopefully, this is out of respect and this is not calling him out I don’t want people to think I’m calling him out that’s stupid,” said Garcia who is 20-years the junior of Pacquiao. “I’m just saying, ‘can we share the ring together and please pass the torch to me.’”

Garcia, who beat Luke Campbell via knockout to get the interim WBC strap, said that his desire to share the ring with Pacquiao is similar to when the Filipino legend defeated Oscar De La Hoya in 2008.

Pacquiao stopped De La Hoya in eight rounds in their non-title welterweight bout that propelled the Pacman from star to utter supernova status.

Interestingly, De La Hoya is Garcia’s promoter.

“Muhammad Ali, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, then guess what it’s my turn,” said Garcia.