Manny Pacquiao vs. Mikey Garcia - July 2021?

[Bandog]

I like the fight, and slightly favor Mikey, but only if there is full random testing that begins once they sign the paperwork. How they do that if Pac trains in his home country is kind of laughable, but oh well. Benjamin Button my ass.

[jujigatame]

Pac only loses if he gets old overnight, which I guess is always a possibility at his age.

Personally this seems like a weak PPV offering. I'm not paying $80 to watch the Pac retirement tour. Pac/Porter would be much more compelling.

[Onetimeonly]

I think Mikey beats PAC, no way they're fighting here in July. Travel could be an issue.

[margaret thatcher]

I like the fight, and slightly favor Mikey, but only if there is full random testing that begins once they sign the paperwork. How they do that if Pac trains in his home country is kind of laughable, but oh well. Benjamin Button my ass.

Maybe Manny and your boi Ortiz drink their juice together, two old guys getting young again

[Ruthless-RKO]

Mikey Garcia: My Brother, Father Still Feel I’m Too Small For 147 Pounds

As pleased as they were with his performance against Jessie Vargas, Mikey Garcia’s brother and father still want him to move back down from the welterweight division to junior welterweight.

Garcia discussed why his father, Eduardo, and his older brother/trainer, Robert, maintain that he is better suited for the 140-pound division during the most recent installment of Chris Mannix’s Sports Illustrated boxing podcast.

“My dad was happy,” Garcia told Mannix. “My brother was happy that I won. They still tell me now that I did it, maybe I should consider coming back down to ’40. You know, they still feel that I’m a small fighter at 147 – I’m too small. My dad, especially, he feels that 140 pounds should be a better weight for me to be fighting at, men at 140 are more comparable to my size.

“You know, he still reminds me all the time, ‘You started at featherweight.’ I was a featherweight, you know, so size-wise I’m not a big [guy]. I still feel that my abilities, my skills are allowing me to compete at 147 and I feel I can win a title at 147. I mean, that’s part of the challenge. I wanna challenge myself.”

The 5-feet-6 Garcia still understands why his brother and father are convinced he belongs at 140 pounds.

“We talk a lot,” Garcia said. “We get together daily, and we talk a lot about boxing, my career, you know, and other options. But in the end, it’s still my call. They agree, they understand that it’s my call to make the decision. But I do consider their opinions. I do consider it very much, and I do see their reasoning behind their opinion. I do see the reason why they feel 140 is a better weight class for me. But like I said, when I look at politics and I look at business, you know, it’s gonna be almost impossible to get one of those fights for a world title at 140. And I don’t wanna just be fighting contenders and waiting and waiting and waiting.

“You know, I actually feel that 147 pounds is a bigger challenge, but I still feel confident enough to accomplish what I want. You know, I wanna win a world title at welterweight. My dad also knows that I have the skills to do it. My brother knows I have the skills to do it. But it’s a dangerous [move]. It’s dangerous fights, a bigger challenge and, you know, that’s part of the risk. You know, but that’s also part of the reward. You win a world title in a fifth division against, you know, a big welterweight champion that nobody believed you could do it [against], you know, that’s in the history books. And that’s what I’m after.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Mikey Garcia Says Manny Pacquiao Fight Is Close To Being Finalized For May

The on-again, off-again fight between Mikey Garcia and Manny Pacquiao appears to be headed full steam ahead toward an official announcement.

If you ask Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs), he’s apparently in the driver’s seat to fight the Filipino legend and eight-division champion Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs).

“We’re finalizing all of the details. We hope to get the exact date and location in the next few days. We’re trying to get everything done for May,” Garcia told journalist Jo Ankier in a spontaneous chat in a vehicle moments after Canelo Alvarez’s win over Avni Yildirim on Saturday.

“It’s been in the works for a long time, particularly more in detail in the last year. Now, in the last few weeks, we’ve been getting very close to working on this and finalizing it. I’m pretty excited. We’ll have all of the details set in the next few days. It’s a matter of time. So far, it seems like all of the parties are on board. I’m excited for it.”

Garcia has long been a leading candidate to fight Pacquiao. In recent weeks, Ryan Garcia surfaced as a challenger for Pacquiao as well, but the rising star admitted over the weekend that the ship had sailed on a potential fight.

Both fighters have also released footage of themselves recently training.

The four-division champion Garcia, 33, sounded gung-ho about his upcoming clash with Pacquiao, 42.

“It’s a great fight. I think it’s great for my career, and for the fans. It’s very exciting for boxing in general to see this type of fight,” said Garcia. “We’ve been working on this for years. We were almost ready for this before COVID-19 happened. Now it seems like things are back on track. Now, to share the ring with a living legend like Manny does amazing things for my career. I just hope that the fans appreciate this. It’s not very often that you see two of the greatest fighters face each other. Right now, that’s what we’re about to do. I’m about to face a legend.”

A location in the Middle East has long been a frontrunner to pay a handsome site fee to stage the event. If the date ends up being in May like Garcia alludes to, finding a viable Saturday without competition could be problematic.

Alvarez is set to face Billy Joe Saunders on May 8 on DAZN, while the four-belt unification bout between super lightweights Jose Ramirez and Josh Taylor is slated for ESPN on May 22.

That would leave May 1 and May 15 as two possible dates without major competing events. Saturday, May 29 is part of Memorial Day weekend, a holiday often avoided by promoters.

Triller owner Ryan Kavanaugh told Boxing Scene last week that he plans on staging Teofimo Lopez Jr. versus George Kambosos Jr. in May as well.

Pacquiao and Garcia both have ties to FOX Sports and Showtime, and a pay per view event would most likely be staged on one of the platforms.

[Enlightened-One]

The 2019 version of Manny Pacquiao beats Mikey Garcia. I feel that most people would share the same opinion.

However, (by May) Manny’s victory over Keith Thurman would have taken place 22 months prior and that might have also been the Filipino’s last hurrah (the final top-tier performance of his career).

We don’t know whether his period of enforced inactivity has affected him, especially if he hasn’t been training as much, due to his political obligations to manage his country’s handling of the pandemic.

Pacquiao will also be 42½ years of age when he faces an opponent almost a decade younger than himself. And in boxing, fighter’s often suddenly grow old overnight.

So even though I favour Pacquiao to score a comfortable decision victory over Garcia, I appreciate the likelihood of an upset happening being significant, because no one really knows whether (almost) two years of inactivity will adversely affect the 42½ year old version of Manny.

I’d really hate to see Pacquiao losing to Garcia in an equally shocking manner than how Sugar Ray Leonard was stopped by Hector Camacho.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Pacquiao: I'm Leaning To Mikey Garcia, Crawford is Not Ruled Out

Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao is looking to return on a date in May.

Pacquiao, 42-years-old, has been out of the ring since July 2019 - when he won a twelve round split decision over Keith Thurman to capture the WBA welterweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The Filipino superstar's return has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The near two years of inactivity has cost him his world title, as earlier this year the WBA removed him from his championship position.

At the start of the year, there were ongoing discussions to make a fight between Pacquiao and UFC star Conor McGregor. The idea of that contest fell apart when McGregor was knocked out at UFC 257 in January.

Pacquiao has named two possible opponents for his return - four division world champion Mikey Garcia and WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford.

“We’re leaning towards Mikey Garcia, but we’re also talking to Crawford,” Pacquiao told Dyan Castillejo of ABS-CBN. “It depends on who I get to face, what’s important is I’m ready.

“We never really got complacent, we’ve always continuously worked out. We keep on playing basketball aside from boxing. Actually, right after my fight the last time with [Keith] Thurman, I didn’t work out boxing, but I kept playing basketball.”

In a recent interview, Garcia revealed that a deal to fight Pacquiao was nearly complete.

At the moment, through his position as a senator in the Philippines, is helping his countrymen overcome the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“We will keep on giving, we will continue to help as much as we can, even if it's just in small ways. I would love to be able to help everyone out, but our resources are limited, so we’ll do the best that we can, no problem. The only thing that I can assure the people of, is that as long as I can help, I will help, to the best of my abilities,” Pacquiao said.

[polecateddy]

I don’t think Pacquiao would be able to compete with a properly random drug testing regime. A lot of banned compounds only need a week to completely clear the system. Knowing when he will be tested is a huge advantage for an athlete using PEDs. Minimum he’s probably on high bio-identical testosterone, an anabolic, growth hormone and maybe EPO. Although with EPO I’m not sure how quickly that would clear. There’s no way on earth he’s competing at his age naturally and legally. So unless Garcia is going into doping overdrive as well, don’t count out Pac on points. Business as usual.

[NateJR]

I don’t think Pacquiao would be able to compete with a properly random drug testing regime. A lot of banned compounds only need a week to completely clear the system. Knowing when he will be tested is a huge advantage for an athlete using PEDs. Minimum he’s probably on high bio-identical testosterone, an anabolic, growth hormone and maybe EPO. Although with EPO I’m not sure how quickly that would clear. There’s no way on earth he’s competing at his age naturally and legally. So unless Garcia is going into doping overdrive as well, don’t count out Pac on points. Business as usual.

I personally believe if Pacquiao is and ever was using PEDs, it was of the EPO variety. That would explain his ability to sustain his cardio even with a high work rate and the ability for his body to heal faster when in hard training at his extended age. I'm not saying he's using, just seems EPO would be by far the most beneficial for him.

[polecateddy]

I don’t think Pacquiao would be able to compete with a properly random drug testing regime. A lot of banned compounds only need a week to completely clear the system. Knowing when he will be tested is a huge advantage for an athlete using PEDs. Minimum he’s probably on high bio-identical testosterone, an anabolic, growth hormone and maybe EPO. Although with EPO I’m not sure how quickly that would clear. There’s no way on earth he’s competing at his age naturally and legally. So unless Garcia is going into doping overdrive as well, don’t count out Pac on points. Business as usual.

I personally believe if Pacquiao is and ever was using PEDs, it was of the EPO variety. That would explain his ability to sustain his cardio even with a high work rate and the ability for his body to heal faster when in hard training at his extended age. I'm not saying he's using, just seems EPO would be by far the most beneficial for him.

EPO might well be a secret ingredient for a lot of top level fighters over the years. The test for it is expensive and a lot of organisations don’t even look for it bar obviously cycling and athletics these days. I’d think Pac would definitely also need to use testosterone replacement therapy to combat his diminishing natural production of testosterone with age. Test and EPO could be a potent package, with maybe a little anti ageing human growth hormone for luck?

[margaret thatcher]

they should do a cribs like show where top boxers give us a tour through their mini fridges and ped coolers

[gilgamesh]

I'll be really excited for this one to go down. Big money making opportunity with the sportsbooks available here now. The odds will surely be close on this one.

[margaret thatcher]

I'll be really excited for this one to go down. Big money making opportunity with the sportsbooks available here now. The odds will surely be close on this one.

who would you bet on if odds are close?

[gilgamesh]

I'll be really excited for this one to go down. Big money making opportunity with the sportsbooks available here now. The odds will surely be close on this one.

who would you bet on if odds are close?

Mikey Garcia.

I'm hoping he's the underdog, and hopeful he will be. As I think the public will read too much into his loss to Errol Spence, and forget the lessons of the past.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I'll be really excited for this one to go down. Big money making opportunity with the sportsbooks available here now. The odds will surely be close on this one.

who would you bet on if odds are close?

Mikey Garcia.

I'm hoping he's the underdog, and hopeful he will be. As I think the public will read too much into his loss to Errol Spence, and forget the lessons of the past.

Yeh, Garcia is a great boxer.

[gilgamesh]

who would you bet on if odds are close?

Mikey Garcia.

I'm hoping he's the underdog, and hopeful he will be. As I think the public will read too much into his loss to Errol Spence, and forget the lessons of the past.

Yeh, Garcia is a great boxer.

A great counterpuncher too. Which has always been the style that troubles Pacquiao the most. Not to mention he's 10 years younger, and Pacquiao will be nearing 2 years inactivity if the bout takes place in May.

On top of that he will have had more time to adjust to the Welterweight division. Juan Manuel Marquez didn't look so hot in his Welterweight debut either, but in the following years when he fought Pacquiao and Tim Bradley he had adjusted to the weight much better.

[margaret thatcher]

great and mikey at 147 dont really go together do they

i had the magnificent jessie vargas winning 5 rounds against him, he won 0 vs pac (though pac was younger tbf)

[gilgamesh]

great and mikey at 147 dont really go together do they

i had the magnificent jessie vargas winning 5 rounds against him, he won 0 vs pac (though pac was younger tbf)

A combination of Styles make fights, and Father Time is Undefeated.

Jessie Vargas would win 5 rounds against Pacquiao if he fought him now too in all likelihood. He's a good fighter, just not a great one. Some guys can never get over the hump to be Elite, but they can always hold their own with the top guys. Jessie Vargas is one of those guys.

[margaret thatcher]

Jessie didn't hold his own vs Pac though

I dunno man, ppl always been saying father time has caught up to pac and that young lion x will get him. lots of the same about thurman too

[gilgamesh]

Jessie didn't hold his own vs Pac though

I dunno man, ppl always been saying father time has caught up to pac and that young lion x will get him. lots of the same about thurman too

Did Garcia suffer any injuries that required surgery the way Thurman had to his shoulder?

Also Thurman isn't the same style of boxer as Mikey Garcia. He may well be able to defeat Mikey, but Mikey has a specific skill set that troubles Pac.

I certainly would never count Pacquiao out as he's an all time great fighter, and has battled back doubts before, but all of my instincts and knowledge I've acquired about Boxing tell me this is a bad matchup for Pacquiao.

If you disagree though by all means put your money on Pacquiao.

[gregregegg]

Pac is a legend but is old and inactive. If I was 100% sure he was on no PEDs or TRT and thought judges were fair and competent , i would happily bet on Mikey Garcia to win a close fight. Problem is i am not 100% sure of either.

Its not like he has just been in the gym staying ready, he has been a senator in a pandemic, also probably trying to position himself to mabey have a crack at president in the not to distant future. If he can still fight Unenhanced at top levle, then he truely is an incredible genetic freak.

Do like the fight though.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Pacquiao vs Garcia in Dubai, says Vegafria

Manny Pacquiao is fighting Mikey Garcia in Dubai, likely in July 2021.

And unlike previous reports regarding Pacquiao's next opponent, which only cited sources, this news breaker comes from someone who should know the real deal.

Arnold Vegafria, Pacquiao's business manager, posted a teaser poster on Instagram on Tuesday afternoon, April 27, showing Pacquiao, boxing's sole eight-division world champion, and four-division titlist Garcia.

Vegafria, Pacquiao legal counsel lawyer Brando Viernesto, and associates Jake Joson and Ping Nepomuceno represent Paradigm Sports Management, headed by Audie Attar, which has co-owned the rights for Pacquiao's fights and promotional deals since last year.

This development came after Pacquiao's supposed megabuck bout with World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Terence Crawford in the United Arab Emirates for June fell through, allegedly because the investor failed to produce the money guarantee.

Garcia claimed in March he'd be fighting Pacquiao in May but nothing concrete came out until it got buried by the Pacquiao-Crawford hullabaloo.

Out of the ring for 21 months, the 42-year-old Pacquiao (62-7-2) with 39 knockouts, has been doing light workouts in General Santos City with longtime local trainers Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri for two weeks though there was no mention of his opponent.

While Garcia, 40-1 with 30 knockouts, may not be as highly touted as Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs), he has a larger fan base than the Nebraskan because of his Mexican lineage

[gregregegg]

This fight makes sense. more money than vs craw, slightly less than vs spence. But winnable. Honestly this is the fight i want to see. I would back mikey, i think pac is just too old to be top levle now, but at least this fight is still kinda unknown, spence and craw monster poor little pac.

[Enlightened-One]