Danny Garcia Not Sold On Pac Man Talk
In different corners of the boxing world, there have been rumblings about a potential prizefight between Danny “Swift” Garcia (35-2, 21 KO’s) and Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KO’s). Few would argue against labeling this as a solid fight. Garcia and Pacquiao stay in entertaining scraps and both are top tier athletes. Not only this, the bout would be rather meaningful due to Pacquiao being the WBA super world welterweight champion.
Garcia is very open to signing such a fight. Although, he remains highly skeptical that it will ever to come pass. In his estimation, minus any further validating moves, all the talk amounts to little more than fool’s gold. The former two-divisional world champion believes this is more a name-baiting tactic for the fans.
“They just saying it to cause hype and then when it comes down to it nobody really want to fight. Pac Man said it, then he fought Thurman. So he saying it again, but let’s see!” ~Danny Garcia, former two-division champion
There is some merit to Swift’s deductions about the situation. If true, it would not be the first time that the Pac Man has name dropped only to go in another direction. In fact, Garcia is quick to point out that Pacquiao has already utilized this same tactic on him before. Earlier this year the fistic politician indicated that he would be interested in fighting Garcia. However, Pacquiao pulled an about face and opted to face-off against Keith “One Time” Thurman instead.
Prior to this, Pacquiao hopped in the ring following Spence versus Mikey Garcia (39-1, 30 KO’s). Initially, the boxing fans on hand became ecstatic when it was thought a bout between the Truth and the Pac Man was close at hand. Sadly, even while still in the ring, Pacquiao seemed less than enthusiastic about mixing it up with Spence. Predictably, this fight never came to fruition.
In similar fashion, Pac Man expressed interest in tangling with his then stablemate Terence “Bud” Crawford (35-0, 26 KO’s). When questioned on the matter, Pacquiao insisted that he wanted to fight Crawford before his match with Jeff Horn. This could have stood as a tremendous changing-of-the-guard bout, or a potentially legendary stand by an outstanding veteran boxer.
Unfortunately for Crawford, and the fans, this couldn’t miss barn-burner was never arranged. Now, the Pac Man has set up shop with the PBC, who are pretty open rivals of his former Top Rank promotional machine. Since leaving his former promotional team, Top Rank big dog Bob Arum has publicly stated that he personally killed the Crawford v Pacquiao fight. Arum said that he did so thinking of Pacquiao’s safety. Top Rank is still Crawford’s promoter.
So, only time will tell if Manny Pacquiao gets in with one of these young lions. He did with Thurman, but when it comes to Garcia, Spence and Crawford, for whatever reason, obstacles just can’t stop appearing.
3kingsboxing will continue to cover this the on-going story.
“I mean I felt like if it was real, I would have been heard something. So I’m here and I’m ready for whatever, so it don’t even matter. They need me at the end of the day […] yeah for sure. I deserve more than all those fighters, I got a better resume than all those fighters at two different weight classes. I fought the best at 140 and I fought the best at 147.” ~Danny Garcia, former two-division world champion
By: Bakari Simpson
