Where should Mikey Garcia go? Junior welterweight or welterweight?
Former WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia could be returning soon at either junior welterweight or welterweight sometime this summer.
Recently, the former world champion was named “Emeritus” champion by the WBC. This arrangement had many pundits pondering that a move up is the only logical option.
In a recent interview, Garcia gave some clarity about the future.
“I want to get back [in the ring] late summer, early fall; August or September. Maybe even push it to October.”
“I think a good time frame would be those months, 140 or 147. I can’t do anything lower than 140. I don’t feel like I can do that right now.”
“140 is an option and honestly still, 147 it depends on who’s available.”
This statement really shouldn’t surprise many. When moving too far up in weight, it makes things that much harder to drop back down.
If the goal is to return to championship status, then observing both divisions, things can be a little difficult once you eliminate the division’s deep talent pool of challengers.
Looking at the landscape at junior welterweight, pretty much everyone is busy in the World Boxing Super Series tournament. Additionally, both WBC and WBO champions Jose Ramirez and Maurice Hooker respectively are looking to make a unification bout.
Then, at the welterweight division, it’s pretty much the same thing with the only champion free right now being WBO champion Terence Crawford.
However, given the history with Top Rank CEO Bob Arum and Garcia, it’s doubtful a fight will be made. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how will the former champion stack up against guys at either weight class.
3kingsboxing will continue to monitor this story for further details.
By: Garrisson Bland
