SPORTS SHORTS 37: MANNY PACQUIAO VS. RYAN GARCIA, A DREAM FIGHT FOR "KINGRY"
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 27 Jan 2021
WBC interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia says his fight with Manny Pacquiao is set, but no official announcement has been done yet. Last Tuesday, Garcia guested on “Jalen & Jacoby” and the concept of the fight was discussed but Pacquiao’s name was not mentioned. Garcia, however, said he might not fight Gervonta Davis in his next bout as he had a bigger fight under negotiations.
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“I have a potential huge, bigger fight than (Davis),” Garcia said as quoted by Bad Left Hook. “I might put him off to the side. I’m still gonna fight him. I wouldn’t not fight him unless it was an even bigger opportunity, but I cannot say anything right now, so I’m just gonna keep it that.” Last Saturday, it was reported that there were initial talks between the Pacquiao and Garcia camps. This came out after Conor McGregor lost to Dustin Poirier in UFC 257, which aborted the emerging Pacquiao-McGregor fight, which is Pacquiao's top prority.
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Garcia announced that the fight is a done deal, at least on his social media. He posted a fan-made poster of him and the Filipino icon turned senator on Instagram and wrote, “A dream turned reality. It’s an honor to share the Ring with Manny Pacquiao. I will always respect what you did in and out the ring. Here’s to the best man winning.”
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Garcia (20-0, 18 KOs), 22-years-old of Victorville, California, did not give details about the reported match with Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) who has not aired an official statement regarding the said encounter. On Sunday, Mike Coppinger of The Athletic commented on Twitter that there were “preliminary discussions” about a Garcia vs. Pacquiao match.
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Social media sensation Ryan Garcia showed the boxing fans that he has a place among top fighters when he knocked out 2012 Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell in the seventh round. Garcia was floored in the second round but got up immediately and pummeled Campbell with a barrage in the succeeding rounds and in the seventh he dropped Campbell to his knee as the referee counted him out. The win catapulted KingRy to his place as one of the most popular boxers in the world.
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Conor McGregor disclosed that he was “heartbroken” after a shock loss to darkhorse Dustin Poirier. “It’s hard to take,” the Irishman told a post-fight news conference. “(It’s) the highest highs and the lowest lows in this game. I don’t know where I’m at, at the minute, to be honest,” said the biggest PPV attraction in mixed martial arts. “I’ll regroup,” said McGregor. “I’ll pick myself up, get up off the floor and go again. I’ll keep my head high.”
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On Tuesday the SBP sadly announced that the country’s hosting of Group A and Group C games of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers was cancelled due to the travel ban imposed by the country due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite the cancellation of the Clark hosting of the February window , the Gilas Pilipinas pool of players will continue training inside the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna. FIBA Asia is looking for a new venue for the last group games of the Qualifiers.
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The players presently training in the Calambubble are Kiefer Ravena, Isaac Go, Matt Nieto, Mike Nieto, Rey Suerte, Javi Gomez de Liaño, Dave Ildefonso, Justine Baltazar, Calvin Oftana, William Navarro, Kemark Carino, CJ Perez, Justin Chua, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Raul Soyud, Dwight Ramos, and naturalized player candidate Angelo Kouame. They are also waiting on the arrival of Kai Sotto. Also in are coaches Tab Baldwin, Jong Uichico, Norman Black, Caloy Garcia, Sandy Arespacochaga, Boyet Fernandez, Yuri Escueta, Andrei Tolentino, Alton Lister, and team manager Gabby Cui.
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LeBron James scored 46 points upon his return to Cleveland, Ohio. He started the game on high note with 17 points in the first quarter and wreaked havoc in the fourth, scoring 23 of his 46 points to maintain the Los Angeles Lakers' unblemished record on the road with a 115-108 triumphed over the Cavaliers. James’ season-high 46 was scored with a 19-of-26 shooting from the field, including 7-of-11 from beyond the three-point area. He also added eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals to his production.
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Most points in a game by player aged 36 or older
60 — Kobe Bryant (37 years, 234 days)
51 — Michael Jordan (38 years, 314 days)
51 — Jamal Crawford (39 years, 20 days)
46 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38 years, 296 days)
46 — LeBron James (36 years, 26 days)
Oldest players to score 45+ pts on 70+% FG
Feb. 6, 1986 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38 years, 296 days)
Feb. 27, 2009 — Shaquille O’Neal (36 years, 358 days)
Jan. 25, 2021 — LeBron James (36 years, 26 days)
Oldest players to score 45+ pts in a road game
April. 9, 2019 — Jamal Crawford (39 years, 20 days)
Feb. 6, 1986 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38 years, 296 days)
Jan. 25, 2021 — LeBron James (36 years, 26 days)
Source: nba.com
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