SPORTS SHORTS 53: MANNY PACQUIAO VS. MIKEY (NOT RYAN) GARCIA?
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 13 Feb 2021
Former eight-division world champion and now WBA "champion in recess" Manny Pacquiao was quoted by BusinessMirror on Thursday that there's an ongoing negotiation between his agents and the group of former world champion Mikey Garcia on a possible fight in Dubai probably in May.
* * *
“We are still finalizing it and we have ongoing negotiations with Mikey Garcia, Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr.,” Pacquiao said in an interview. The fighter-turned-senator Pacquiao did not give more details, but BusinessMirror revealed that Mikey Garcia would most likely be the Filipino sports star's next opponent since Paradigm Sports Management with President Audie Attar are reportedly drafting the fight contracts.
* * *
Garcia was defeated by unbeaten title holder Errol Spence Jr. by a unanimous decision last March 16, 2019, and lost his International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight belt and the vacant World Boxing Council diamond welterweight belt at the Arlington Stadium in Texas. Garcia came back to the ring last February 29, 2020, and scored a unanimous decision victory over Jessie Vargas, Pacquiao's former opponent, at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas.
* * *
Mikey Garcia guested on the PBC Podcast and talked about a potential Manny Pacquiao fight which he wants. "We were supposed to do that last year in July, but then with those whole pandemic screwing things up for everybody, it kind of went dark for a while. Later in the year we started hearing more about Pacquiao-McGregor, and now we’ve heard of maybe Pacquiao-(Ryan) Garcia," said Garcia.
* * *
Mikey Garcia thinks that maybe Manny is aiming for a big fight with the "least amount of risk." Pacquiao and Conor McGregor would probably earn large PPV revenues, but there’s really no risk for Manny in fighting the UFC star. Same thing goes with this kid Ryan, "I don’t think he poses any threat for Manny," added Mikey. He believes that the reason why they’re looking at the KingRy fight or possibly doing an exhibition match with that kid, because it could earn a lot of money and has no risk at all.
* * *
Mikey Garcia is not yet sure of getting a fight with the future Hall of Famer. "I heard from (Pacquiao manager Sean) Gibbons in another interview that they still want to fight me, but Manny’s got a big team of people, and I don’t know what route he’s gonna take." He added that several agents were trying to work for Manny to get the senator the best deal. "Unless I hear directly from Manny, or I sit down at some table and they actually present me with an actual contract, I can’t take anything seriously," said the four-division champion.
* * *
The 33-year-old Oxnard, California native was interviewed by Fighthype and said, “But if Manny is available, and he wants to get in the ring with a real fighter, and have a real challenge and a real fight for the fans, then I’m it. There’s no one else that is accomplished enough to be in that spotlight to be in that position like I have." Garcia holds a record of 40 wins, 1 loss with 30 knockouts.
* * *
The Philippines' hosting of the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers is now revived. FIBA announced Friday, February 12 that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will host two groups a day after Qatar pulled out of hosting the final window due to its surging Covid-19 cases. "Fixing the dates of the 'windows to be created' under this unexpected and unordinary situation will still need about 10 days to be finalized," FIBA Asia executive director Hagop Khajirian stated.
* * *
"However, we have already decided to have these games in the Philippines, where SBP will host two groups, and in Lebanon, where [the Lebanese Basketball Federation] will host the third group." The Philippines was to host Group A, where Gilas Pilipinas was bracketed, and Group C in a bubble in Clark, Pampanga this February, but the SBP cancelled the hosting due to travel restrictions in view of the spread of the new coronavirus variant. Qatar took over the hosting of Groups A, B, and E. But, Qatar had to cancel its hosting a week before the scheduled start of the third window games.
* * *
José Villanueva, born in Binondo, Manila, represented his country at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and won the bronze medal in the bantamweight class after winning the fight for third place against Joseph Lang. Following are the results of Villanueva in the 1932 Olympic boxing tournament.
Round of 16: bye
Quarterfinal: defeated Akira Nakao (Japan) on points
Semifinal: lost to Horace Gwynne (Canada) on points
Bronze Medal Bout: won by walkover over Joseph Lang (USA)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino IM Bagamasbad prevails
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024DC girl’s futsal in Palawan now
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu is ready to face challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Dante Kirkman Secures First Career Knockout with 3rd Round TKO Victory
Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino Middleweight Star Blazen Rocili Set to Return to the Ring This Saturday in San Antonio, TX
Thu, 21 Nov 2024