Ryan Garcia came of age with his one-punch knockout of Luke Campbell on Saturday in Dallas.
The 22-year-old lightweight contender was celebrated going into the fight, given his ridiculous social media following. The sensational victory over Campbell took him to the next level, making him one of the hottest boxers in the world.
The question on everyone’s lips now is: Who’s next?
Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) is fortunate to fight in a division loaded with top-end talent, meaning he has a number of intriguing options. He has repeatedly called out Gervonta Davis, another hot young star. He has mentioned Devin Haney. And there are others who might be in the mix, depending on which direction Garcia wants to go and whether politics can be navigated.
Garcia and Haney are affiliated with DAZN, which would make negotiations seamless. Meanwhile, Davis is a PBC fighter and a few other top 135-pounders are affiliated with Top Rank, which would add obstacles to negotiations.
Still, where there’s a will, there’s a way. And there seems to be a will.
Here are five prospective opponents for Garcia, as well as predictions.
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GERVONTA DAVIS
Garcia has repeatedly called out Davis and reiterated after his knockout of Campbell that he wants “Tank” next. Careful what you wish for.
The matchup would be embraced by fans. And why not? We’re talking about two undefeated young knockout artists on the cusp of become superstars because of their abilities and massive fanbases. It doesn’t get much better than that, at least on paper.
Garcia and Davis (24-0, 23 KOs) are a combined 45-0, with 41 knockouts. That’s enticing stuff.
The problem for Garcia is that Davis has tools of which Campbell could only dream, including power that is off the charts. The punch from Campbell that put Garcia down and hurt him in the second round might’ve knocked his head off if it had been delivered by Davis.
Plus, while they have a similar number of pro fights, Davis, 26, is physically more mature than Garcia and he has more experience in high-level events. One possible advantage for Garcia: He has been full-fledged lightweight his entire career, which isn’t the case for Davis.
If I were Davis, I’d race to the negotiation table to sign the contract for this fight. If I were Garcia, I’d wait. I’m guessing we won’t see this matchup next primarily because it’s too early for Garcia.
Who wins? Davis KO 7
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TEOFIMO LOPEZ JR.
Lopez, the undisputed lightweight champion, is only one year older than Garcia and has fewer pro fights yet his name doesn’t come up much as a potential opponent for Garcia.
One reason for that might be that Lopez doesn’t have the following of Garcia or Davis even though he has the biggest victory, a unanimous decision over then-No. 1 pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko that gave him all four major titles.
Another reason might be politics, as I mentioned in the lead-in. And yet another reason might be Lopez’s ability: He’s probably the best of 135-pound bunch.
Garcia wouldn’t have a single advantage over Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs). The Honduran-American is physically imposing, is at least as quick as Garcia and he can do it all in the ring — box, punch and think. He and Davis, among the top lightweights, are mostly likely to become No. 1 pound-for-pound one day.
That doesn’t mean Garcia wouldn’t have a chance. He obviously is a talented all-around fighter, as he demonstrated against Campbell. Lopez seems to have more unusual qualities, qualities that could lead to greatness.
Who wins? Lopez KO 10
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DEVIN HANEY
This matchup makes sense in many ways.
Garcia and Haney (25-0, 15 KOs) are the same age. They have a similar number of fights. While Haney already holds a secondary title, Garcia’s victory over Campbell is more meaningful than any of Haney’s wins. That’s a wash.
It’s an intriguing matchup of unbeaten rising stars even if it doesn’t have the cache of Garcia vs. Davis or Lopez. Fans would buy into it.
And the fight seems to appeal to Garcia. He made it clear after the Campbell fight that he wants to fight Davis first but he also recognized and mentioned Haney, who was in the stands.
“If we can make Devin, let’s make Devin. I’m ready,” he said.
Haney might be the second most gifted pure boxer in the division, after Vasiliy Lomachenko, which makes him a threat to anyone. He’s quick, athletic and smooth. His deficiency might be his relative lack of punching power, which is Garcia’s strength.
That would make for an interesting matchup, a slick boxer against big puncher in what might be a 50-50 fight. Garcia proved that he could compete with a good boxer and ultimately stop one, as we saw on Saturday.
Haney is better than Campbell. Garcia would have to be better, too.
Who wins? Haney UD
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VASILIY LOMACHENKO
Why not?
Lomachenko, coming off his unanimous-decision loss to the naturally bigger Lopez on Oct. 17, might opt to move back down to a more natural 130 pounds for his next fight.
That would make sense for him. It would also make sense for him to fight Garcia if he stays at 135.
The 32-year-old Ukrainian was upset by one young hot-shot in Lopez, who beat him at his own game: He outboxed the boxing wizard. Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KOs) suggested that the judges were bribed but most believe he lost fairly and squarely.
The proud former champion presumably would love another crack at an upstart to make amends for what happened against Lopez, particularly one surrounded by so much hype. What better way to bounce back than beat Garcia?
Lomachenko’s name also hasn’t come up as a potential opponent for Garcia but it certainly would win the approval of fans if neither Davis nor Haney is next up. And a victory over a future Hall of Famer would look good on Garcia’s resume.
Garcia might be able to replicate Lopez’s performance, particularly if “Hi-Tech” is in decline, as some have suggested he is. However, that’s difficult to imagine. Lomachenko would be as motivated as ever and Garcia probably isn’t the all-around fighter Lopez is.
Who wins? Lomachenko UD
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JORGE LINARES
Linares could be the ideal opponent if Garcia and his team decide they want to take a conservative approach for his next fight.
Garcia and Linares were set to fight this past summer when COVID-19 got in the way. They presumably could reach an agreement without too much fuss, which is always a plus when contemplating a matchup.
Of course, Linares (47-5, 29 KOs) isn’t Davis, Lopez, Haney or Lomachenko. He doesn’t have that level of respect, which means a Garcia vs. Linares fight wouldn’t stir the masses like the others would.
That said, Linares is a proven commodity – which wouldn’t hurt the promotion – and he would be perceived by Garcia and Co. as a relatively safe choice, another knockout victim who could set up a big event immediately afterward.
I personally believe that Linares is another careful-what-you-wish-for opponent, even at 35. He’s an excellent boxer and athlete. That said, Garcia would be favored for a reason. This is his time, not that of a man in his mid-30s.
Who wins? Garcia KO 9
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