Ryan Garcia’s first genuine test could come against Luke Campbell.
The World Boxing Council has ordered a fight between Nos. 2- and 3-ranked Campbell and Garcia for the sanctioning body’s interim lightweight title.
No. 1-ranked Javier Fortuna was expected to face Campbell for that belt but Fortuna chose to fight Jorge Linares on Aug. 28 instead.
Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) has become a fan favorite after a series of knockouts, including a KO of the Year candidate against Francisco Fonseca on Feb. 14. However, he hasn’t faced an opponent of Campbell’s pedigree.
Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) is a 2012 Olympic gold medalist and two-time title challenger, losing a split decision to Linares in 2017 and a unanimous decision to Vasiliy Lomachenko — Boxing Junkie’s No. 1 fighter pound for pound — last August. He’s left-handed.
“I’m finally getting to fight a southpaw my favorite fighters to fight! Bring it on luke Campbell,” Garcia said on Twitter.
I’m finally getting to fight a southpaw my favorite fighters to fight! Bring it on luke Campbell
— Ryan Garcia (@KingRyanG) July 1, 2020
That comment is encouraging for those who would like to see the matchup because the fighters must still come to terms. On top of that, Garcia is at odds with his promoter, Golden Boy. It’s not clear what, if any, role that could play going forward.
ESPN reported that Garcia and Golden Boy officials are scheduled to meet this week.
“We just got the letter today [from the WBC], so we’re in the process of talking to Ryan,” Golden Boy President Eric Gomez told ESPN. “We’re going to talk to his team, we’re going to see what he wants to do.
“That’s one of the guys he’s said repeatedly that he wants to fight,” said Gomez, referring to Campbell.
Also, the WBC’s handling of the lightweight division is an example of how absurd the ranking system can be.
Lomachenko is the “franchise” champion, meaning he doesn’t have mandatories. Devin Haney a world champion even though he fits in below the Ukrainian star. Fortuna and Linares are fighting for what the WBC calls its “Diamond Belt,” whatever that is. And Campbell-Garcia would be for the interim belt.