Boxing: WBA Decision On Pacquiao Changes Potential Stakes In Garcia Fight

Interim WBC lightweight champion Ryan Garcia cleared the air on what kind of fight to expect against Manny Pacquiao, assuming that it does get finalized.

The 22-year-old boxer explained that the bout will not be an exhibition bout and that everything will be on the line.

“KingRy” stated on his Instagram account to address criticism on the so-called exhibition fight. He seems to be trying to do damage control with pundits after interest in the showdown soured a bit.

“Hey everybody, just want to make it real clear--my fight with Manny Pacquiao will not be an exhibition,” Garcia stated on social media, addressing his base of more than 8.1 million subscribers. “It will be a real fight.”

Furthermore, Garcia claims that the match will be for 12 rounds, somehow indicating that progress is being made between his and Pacquiao’s camp. Somehow, his revelation appears timely.

Pacquiao was recently stripped of the WBA welterweight title and instead reclassified as a “Champion in Recess.”

Inactivity is the reason behind the move, but it appears to have given the Filipino boxing icon reason to treat the Garcia fight with more meaning.

Aside from the title, Pacquiao has the golden opportunity to hand the American his first boxing career loss.

“It’s all on the line,” Garcia stated. “Our records on the line. I just want to make that very clear for everybody out there.”

While this could be a big development, the fact remains that nothing has been settled as far as the fight being made official.

Garica became the logical choice to be Pacquiao’s next opponent following Conor McGregor’s defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.

Pacquiao has yet to make a formal announcement on the Garcia fight. The same holds on whether the Filipino pugilist does have plans to return to the ring.

Being a senator in his country, Pacquiao is also helping out his countrymen who are struggling with the pandemic.

According to Boxingscene, talks have not yet crossed the line with hopes that the fight could be staged by the spring.

However, Garcia’s recent statements reveal that he is determined to land a fight with Pacquiao and that it is no longer just about “sharing the ring together.”