Mikey Garcia celebrated a birthday Sunday with an announcement that he has a deal with Matchroom Boxing and DAZN that will include his return to the ring on Feb. 29.
Garcia, now 32, did not disclose the terms of the deal or who he will fight, although multiple media reports indicate that former junior welterweight and welterweight titleholder Jessie Vargas is a leading candidate.
“I am happy to announce my return to the ring for February 29,” Garcia said in a statement. “I am eager to make my return and grow my legacy. I look forward to working with Matchroom Boxing USA and DAZN, and I want to thank all my fans for the continued support. Fight details will be announced soon, and I can’t wait to be back in the ring.”
Garcia (39-1, 30 KOs) hasn’t fought since he jumped up to welterweight and lost a one-sided decision to Errol Spence Jr. on March 16 at AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys’ home field in Arlington, Tex.
Garcia has held belts in four divisions – featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight and junior welterweight. He was leading pound-for-pound contender before the Spence loss.
“I am happy to announce my return to the ring February 29. I look forward to working with DAZN and Matchroom Boxing for my upcoming fight. pic.twitter.com/W2JMMeNuxT
— Team Mikey Garcia (@mikeygarcia) December 15, 2019
The younger brother of veteran trainer Robert Garcia had been a free agent since he and former promoter Top Rank agreed to split in April 2016.
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn and Garcia are expected to talk about the deal at a news conference Wednesday in Los Angeles.
“I’ve been talking to Mikey for over a year now, and I’m so happy to welcome him to the team,” Hearn said. “Mikey is a standout star, and I’m looking forward to working with him on big fights moving forward. He will return to the ring on Feb. 29, and we will be announcing the opponent and venue shortly.”