By CARLO ANOLIN
American rising star Ryan Garcia has been consistent on his desire to fight Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao anytime soon.
Speaking to the Rich Eisen Show, Garcia reiterated his plans to take on Gervonta Davis first before locking horns with Pacquiao.
The 22-year-old Garcia has high regard for his idol Pacquiao, considering him among the ranks of the legends like Muhammad Ali and Oscar De La Hoya.
Pacquiao’s rags to riches story became one of Garcia’s inspiration in boxing, all the more reason for the WBC interim lightweight champion to challenge the Filipino icon.
“And now, guess what? It’s my turn,” said Garcia, who maintained a perfect 21-0 record with 18 knockouts after stunning Luke Campbell in early January.
“Maybe after Gervonta, hopefully — this is out of respect, this is not calling him out. I don’t want people to think I’m calling him out. That’s so stupid. I’m saying, can we share that ring together and please pass that torch to me?”
Aside from Pacquiao and Davis, the names Jorge Linares, Teófimo López, and Devin Haney are also on Garcia’s watchlist.
But Garcia isn’t the only one who wants to fight Pacquiao as WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford hopes to square off with the eight-division world champion as well.
Another one down the road would be the much-hyped Pacquiao-McGregor bout eyed before the end of the year.
The 42-year-old Pacquiao, for his part, last saw action in the boxing ring with a split decision win against American Keith Thurman. (Carlo Anolin) ###
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