Garcia-Pacquiao fight in July nears done deal

Mikey Garcia’s stunning victory against Jessie Vargas paved the bridge to Pacquiao fight (fightnights.com)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After Mikey Garcia’s dominating win against former champion Jessie Vargas, Manny Pacquiao announced he wants Garcia next.

Garcia prevailed over Vargas in a unanimous decision win, 116-111, 116-111, 114-113, last Saturday in their welterweight division clash and showed the world that he still belongs in the division despite bowing down to current world no. 1, Errol Spence Jr. upon moving up weight.

The revamped Garcia looked like a different beast in the ring. Moving faster, punching harder, and becoming more patient in executing his combinations.

It was not an easy task taking down the veteran Vargas who is a former world champion and is considered as one of the veteran boxers in the industry.

During his post-fight interview, Garcia said that Pacquiao would be his first option, the next is having a rematch with Spence Jr.

“I think I can have big options. I’m ready to get back in with the best. I would love to fight Manny Pacquiao or get a rematch with Errol Spence. I think it would be a tremendous fight, and I’m better now at this weight class. I think I want to continue to campaign at 147 and search a title in my fifth division,” said Garcia.

Eddie Hearn, the promoter of Matchroom, already talked to Paradigm Sports Management, the ones who handle Pacquiao’s fights, and he said that he would love to stage the fight in Saudi Arabia this July.