My take on Pacquiao-Garcia & more
Because you asked for it: 'Random Thoughts' column returns
The return of my boxing random thoughts….
The other day Ryan Garcia clarified his position on a potential fight with resident legend Manny Pacquiao, making a video for his Instagram feed – which boasts 8.4 million followers – in which he said that if it’s finalized it would be a real fight and not an exhibition as some have suggested.
“Hey, everybody, just want to make it real clear my fight with Manny Pacquiao will not be an exhibition,” Garcia said. “It will be a real fight. Shooting for 12 rounds. All on the line. Our records on the line. I just wanted to make that very clear for everybody.”
First off, there is no fight, at not least yet. There’s a long way to go before it’s a reality and I certainly have major doubts that the fight will happen. In fact, I’d bet that it won’t. But I am not going to hate on the fight.
The more I think about it the more I am perfectly fine with it, and even somewhat interested in seeing it, if it should actually come pass instead of this being a social media fanstasy thing. Obviously, it would be a very big event, which is what boxing needs and thrives on.
Pacquiao is in the twilight of his career and wants only one or two more fights. At age 42, with 71 fights, 486 rounds, world titles in a record eight weight classes and a glittering resume, he has earned the right to fight whomever the hell he wants, especially since he has not boxed since July 2019 due the coronavirus pandemic wiping out plans for fights in 2020.
And while I would definitely prefer to see undefeated 22-year-old young gun Garcia tangle with any of his immensely talented fellow lightweights — namely Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta Davis or Devin Haney — rather than have to rise in weight to meet the PacMan, I totally get his desire to fight one of boxing’s historical figures. Pacquiao won’t be around much longer, it would be a mega event and a massive payday, not to mention helping Garcia become an even bigger star than he already is.
So, to reiterate: A) I seriously doubt the fight will actually take place. B) If by chance it does? I’m definitely intrigued and would look forward to covering and watching it.
How about super middleweight titlist Caleb Plant fights unbeaten former titlist David Benavidez this spring/summer and the winner gets the shot at unified champ Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed title in the fall, assuming Alvarez first defeats Avni Yildirim on Feb. 27 and Billy Joe Saunders in May?
Golden Boy’s Feb. 13 card on DAZN featuring Joseph Diaz Jr. defending his junior lightweight title against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov and Patrick Teixeira defending his junior middleweight title against Brian Castano in the co-feature feels like an old school HBO “Boxing After Dark” card. That’s a good thing.
That same night, I also expect fireworks when Joe Smith Jr. and Maxim Vlasov meet for a vacant light heavyweight title in the Top Rank Boxing on ESPN main event.
The best fight on the schedule over the next few months is hands down the rematch between Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada to unify junior bantamweight titles on March 13 (DAZN). The Feb. 20 ESPN main event between junior lightweight titlist Miguel Berchelt and Oscar Valdez is a close second. Both bouts are significant and promise to produce fierce action. Wouldn’t at all shock me if they’re both fight of the year contenders.
So far, I give thumbs up to the matches being made on the Ring City USA cards on NBC Sports Net. They feel like the best version of the old ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights.” The two upcoming main events, junior middleweight Serhii Bohachuk vs. Brandon Adams (March 4) and lightweight Alberto Machado vs. Hector Tanajara (March 18), are both legit fights.
Don’t judge me because I’m interested in the heavyweight fight between Otto Wallin and Dominic Breazeale that is part of Showtime’s Feb. 20 card.
One of the more intriguing prospects I’ve seen in awhile is Kazakh cruiserweight Kamshybek Kunkabayev.
The WBA is wretched. Super wretched. Regular wretched. And interim wretched.
The Jamel Herring-Carl Frampton junior lightweight title bout on Feb. 27 is a good matchup. It should be hard for anyone to root one way or the other because they are both such good guys.
I think Dillian Whyte will avenge his loss to Alexander Povetkin when they meet in their rematch on March 6.
I really hope Premier Boxing Champions and Showtime can reschedule the Nordine Oubaali-Nonito Donaire bantamweight title bout as quickly as possible.
Count me in as a Tim Tszyu fan. I hope there’s an American outlet for his March 31 fight against Dennis Hogan.
Super middleweight prospect Edgar Berlanga has knocked out all 16 of his opponents in the first round, mostly in explosive fashion. He is obviously light on experience but you gotta love that he’s calling everyone out. He seriously wants to face quality opposition.
Quick hit
Per the California State Athletic Commission, here are the official contract purses for this past Saturday night’s Premier Boxing Champions card on Fox: Caleb Plant $750k, Caleb Truax $150k; Michael Coffie $25k, Darmani Rock $25k; Joey Spencer $10k, Isiah Seldon $10k; Rances Barthelemy $20k, All Rivera $15k; Brandyn Lynch $8k, Mark Hernandez $8k; Atif Oberlton $4k, Nathan Sharp $3k; James De Herrera $5k, Fernando Molina $4k; Jose Delgado Aguilar $2k, Daniel Garcia $2k
Photo: Ryan Garcia Instagram
I like Garcia-Haney. Super stoked to see Gonzalez-Estrada
Excellent read Dan! Let's be honest, Canelo is on a completely different level than Avin, Saunders, Plant and even David. Realistically David might be the only one who might be able to win 4 rounds against...Canelo is the P4P. No one has improved more over the last decade than him. Thanks!