Mikey Garcia has been on the shortlist of fighters touted to face Manny Pacquiao next and when the two titans finally clash, tentatively scheduled in 2020, the Saudis are reportedly interested to bank-roll the mega-fight. If the welterweight showdown pushes through, it will be part of the series of boxing events lined up in the kingdom.
That's according to Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who added there will be at least two blockbuster boxing shows that Saudi Arabia will be hosting next year.
Obviously, the kingdom is riding high on the momentum of the successful heavyweight bout between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr held there recently. Boxing Insider said, it is expected that a Pacquiao-Garcia duel will exceed the last fight, which the report dubbed as "ridiculous in magnitude."
One indication of the Saudis' excitement to stage a boxing event was the construction of a temporary outdoor arena for Joshua vs. Ruiz. To be sure, something to that effect or even better will be prepared if both fighters can be convinced to sign a deal.
As Boxing News 24 said, Hearn will need to make a pitch that will attract both Garcia and Pacquiao, especially for the latter.
"To get the 41-year-old Pacquiao to agree to fight Mikey, Hearn will need to make a huge offer to him, because he's not going to agree to take that fight unless there's big money," the report advised.
However, money, it seems, is not an issue if Hearn is to be believed. The Brit boasted, "the Saudis are the ones that put the money up, and they're the ones that put their trust in us."
"They [Saudis] want that fight [Pacquiao vs. Mikey]. They want the biggest of the biggest, and if you can get it, they've got the money for it. That's what's exciting about Saudi," the promoter was reported as saying.
For his plan to see the light of the day, though, Garcia needs to face Jessie Vargas first and win on their scheduled tussle in February 2020. That fight should be useful for the American to regain confidence following the defeat he suffered against Errol Spence Jr.
"My last performance was horrible. The worse of my career and I feel that I need to make up for that. I gotta show my fans that there is much more to Mikey Garcia," the boxer said.
While Hearn has indicated that the Saudis are bent to see Pacquiao vs. Garcia happening in their homeland, the Filipino boxing icon has the option to take on Danny Garcia instead. Or he can finally convince Floyd Mayweather Jr. to a MayPac No. 2 and collect a huge paycheck.
