REYNALD MAGALLON

Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is being floated as the next possible opponent to the popular, young American boxer Ryan Garcia, according to reports.

It was actually Garcia’s promoter, Oscar Dela Hoya who brought up the idea during an interview on Thursday, June 1, (Manila time), throwing in the name of the Filipino boxing icon along with the likes of  Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, and Teofimo Lopez.

“I’m also looking at Manny Pacquiao. Manny vs. Ryan, do you know how huge that would be? That’s bigger than anything on the table,” De La Hoya told the media when asked about Garcia’s next possible opponent.

“I got a few tricks up my sleeve. It would be like a catchweight. I’m not sure what, but I’m going to pursue that and all the other options. We’ll see what the best option is for Ryan,” he added.

It’s still unclear how likely for the fight to push through but it was not the first time that a possible Pacquiao-Garcia clash has been brought up. Negotiation between the two camps has also been reported back in 2021.

A lot has changed, however, since then as the previously undefeated Garcia is coming off his first loss at the hands of Gervonta Davis who stopped him in the seventh round of their fight last April 22. He now boasts a record of 22-1 with 19 knockouts.

Pacquiao, now 44-years-old, on the other hand, has been retired from professional boxing since losing to Yordenis Ugas in 2021 but last set foot on the ring during an exhibition match against Korean YouTuber DK Yoo last year.