Pacquiao-Ryan Garcia fight won’t happen

CEBU, Philippines —  The rumored showdown between the legendary Manny Pacquiao (62-7-3, 39KOs) and the unbeaten lightweight contender Ryan Garcia (21-0, 18KOs) may not happen after all.

Since scoring a seventh round knockout of Luke Campbell to win the interim WBC lightweight belt last January 3, the 22-year-old Garcia has been very vocal on his desire to slug it out with his idol Pacquiao, 20 years his senior.

Garcia is even willing to move up in two weight classes just to make his ‘dream fight’  come true.

That remains a dream for Garcia. At least for now.

This after Golden Boy Promotions, the promoter of Garcia, told ESPN Sports that a match-up between the two fighters is not in their order of business.

“There’s nothing to talk about there,” said Golden Boy President Eric Gomez. “They contacted us, but it turns out there’s nothing to talk about. That fight isn’t going to happen.”

However, Garcia’s lawyer Guadalupe Valencia maintained that the door is still open for the bout to take place.

“We’re discussing terms. Manny and Ryan want it and instructed their teams to make it happen. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish,” Valencia said.

Valencia has earlier expressed that there is high interest in a non-exhibition duel between Garcia and Pacquiao.

Garcia then declared that whether it’s an exhibition or not, he will go for a knockout against Pacquiao.

“I can’t say anything about (what the rules will be), but it’s the same question everyone has - will it be an exhibition or will it be a real fight? But I can say this, you have two people in the ring with eight or ten ounce gloves, no head protection... tell me if that would be an exhibition or a real (fight). We are two real fighters. I’m not going to throw lies, and neither is he. You can call it what you want, but it will be a fight. I will throw punches as if I want to knock out Pacquiao,” said Garcia.

But while Garcia is hell bent on setting up a ring clash with Pacquiao, Gomez and Golden Boy have other plans for him.

Gomez revealed that after he and Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya met with Top Rank’s Bob Arum recently, he looks at unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez as Garcia’s next possible opponent.

“Teofimo is more feasible,” Gomez said. “It’s one of the fights that’s obviously of interest to Ryan Garcia. It could be a great fight.”