Boxing: Garcia vs. Vargas February Clash May Determine Pacquiao Next Foe

Mikey Garcia is all set to face Jesse Vargas in February 2020, a clash that has a lot of meaning. For the 32-year-old pug, winning over Vargas would erase his forgettable performance against Errol Spence Jr. last March 16, 2019. Victory could also put him in the running for Manny Pacquiao's next foe.

Garcia admitted that he was outboxed by Spence when both fought for the IBF welterweight title. Known best as a lightweight, it came to no surprise that he lost by unanimous decision. He was outboxed and nothing has been heard of him until now. Based on his interview with Yahoo Sports, it looks like the American boxer is back with renewed vigor.

This time around, he faces Vargas who may not be the same puncher that Spence is. But if his last fight against Timothy Bradley is to be a gauge, Garcia cannot afford to take Vargas lightly. The 30-year-old hurt Bradley, something even Pacquiao was not able to do in their three meetings.

From the looks of it, Garcia could care less. He is upbeat on his chances and is fully aware of what is at stake. Should he manage to win over Vargas, a possible showdown with Pacquiao looms. Apparently he and promoter Eddie Hearn have been discussing things which include a possible clash with the Filipino boxing icon.

“That’s a fight I really want and if I made all of the decisions, that’s where I would go. But it takes two parties to make a deal. I have to get through this fight first and we’ll see but no doubt I would love the opportunity to challenge myself against Manny Pacquiao.”

Obviously there are big things on the table for Garcia. Pacquiao has yet to name his next opponent although Hearn believes he can deliver a Pacquiao vs. Garcia fight to Saudi Arabia, Boxing Scene reported.

Hearn inked Garcia to a one-fight deal with Matchroom recently with an option to extend. Aware that Pacquiao has two fights left with PBC, Hearns and Garcia hope to land a big fish by securing a clash with the boxer/ senator.

“We’ve been discussing a fight against Manny Pacquiao for a long time now, and it seems like it’s very close and it can actually happen,” said Garcia in an interview with Fighthype.