Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter.
The names are just some of those under the radar of boxing legend Manny Pacquaio for his next possible opponent when he returns to the ring by early next year..
Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao (MP) Promotions, mentioned the three fighters as among those who caught the interest of the 40-year-old fighting senator who is just coming off a 12-round split decision win over Keith Thurman last month.
“Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia, there’s other guys out there to fight. Shawn Porter,” Gibbons said as he rattled off the names of the three world champions when he appeared for the first time before the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Amelie Hotel-Manila on Tuesday.
Before taking on the 30-year-old Thurman, Pacquiao’s camp initially considered facing Danny Garcia, the former holder of the World Boxing Council (WBC) version of the 147-lb. title belt, following his April 20 fight against Adrian Granados.
Mikey Garcia has also been added to the mix, although he lost to reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Errol Spence via unanimous decision in his first attempt as a welterweight last March. The 31-year-old Garcia, younger brother of champion trainer Robert Garcia, was a former lightweight and junior welterweight title holder.
Porter meanwhile, was a former sparring partner of Pacquiao and current WBC champion who’s scheduled for a unification match against Spence this September at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
“Let’s say if Shawn Porter somehow came out winning, he can get into the mix. I’m not against fighting Shawn Porter,” said Gibbons in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel-Manila, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
That being said, Gibbons made it clear a rematch with Thurman is definitely out of the window.
“He (Thurman) had his opportunity, he had his shot,” stressed Gibbons.
