Mikey Garcia: I’ve Had Conversations With Manny Pacquiao’s Team For A Fight

Unified WBC and IBF lightweight Mikey Garcia is looking at a welterweight title shot against Errol Spence Jr., but that doesn’t mean Garcia isn’t talking to another 147-pound champion.

ESPN Deportes recently caught up with the four-division champion and Garcia revealed that he has had some talks with WBA “regular” welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, who is coming off a win over Lucas Matthysse in Malaysia earlier this summer.

“I would love to return before the end of the year. Errol Spence remains the fight that interests me most, the one that motivates me the most. We briefly spoke with Manny Pacquiao’s team as well and there’s mutual interest [in making that potential fight happen],” Garcia said.

A fight between Garcia and Pacquiao would be possible as both men are not exclusive to any one promoter and Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has been in talks with the two about signing them to his stable of fighters.

But even if there is genuine interest between Garcia and Pacquiao, Garcia still believes that the top priority is making a fight against Spence, the IBF welterweight champion, official. Garcia said Spence is the biggest challenge for him right now and could provide the biggest reward should he emerge victorious.

“Spence is still the biggest challenge and perhaps the most dangerous fight for me, but I feel capable, strong, fast, intelligent, experienced and believe I can win. Everyone is telling me no and that this fight is too dangerous but it’s the fight that will give me the most amount of credit [for my career]. Beating a fighter like him, winning another championship in a third weight class in nine or 10 months is something nobody has done and it’s why I give myself this challenge,” Garcia said.

That last statement echoes Garcia’s feelings towards moving up in weight and fighting Spence for an opportunity to win a world title in a fifth weight class when he spoke to Fightful. You can read more on Garcia’s brief chat with Fightful at a press conference after Garcia’s win over Robert Easter Jr. at this link.

The interview with ESPN Deportes can be read in Spanish at this link.