CEBU, Philippines — Rising lightweight star Ryan Garcia announced on social media yesterday that he has given up on his “dream fight” against the legendary Manny Pacquiao.
“To all my fans and supporters, my fight with Manny Pacquiao is not happening right now,” the 20-year-old Garcia posted on Facebook via All Access Elite Boxing, Garcia. “I tried my best after getting the call to fight him but didn’t happen due to some issues I didn’t expect to come up but I’m already working on the next fight.”
“I will always see Manny as an inspiration and someone who is a legend and that I respect. I wish the best for him in life and Boxing,” he added.
Two days before Garcia’s announcement, Pacquiao’s victim and former WBO champion Chris Algieri made an interesting comment.
Algieri, who was once at the bitter end of Pacquiao’s brutal punches when they fought six years ago in Macau, told World Boxing News that Pacquiao would have proven too strong for Ryan Garcia at this stage of his developing career.
While he admires Garcia’s talent, Algieri said the unbeaten WBC lightweight titlist saved himself from a possible Pacquiao knockout by getting out of the eight-division world champion’s way.
“From the things I saw in the Luke Campbell fight, Manny would be able to capitalize very well, and if Manny puts you down, you’re not getting up,” said Algieri, who was beaten black and blue in a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Pacquiao during their one-sided match on November 23, 2014 at the Cotai Arena of Venetian Resort Macau. — EBV