By Dan Ambrose: Oscar De La Hoya says the rescheduled lightweight match between Ryan Garcia and Luke Campbell is being targeted for December 19th on DAZN. If that date sticks, it’s good news for Ryan and Campbell, as it’s only two weeks’ delay from the original December 5th date for the fight.
On Tuesday, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn reported that Campbell had tested positive for COVID 19, but he’d already completed his isolation, and he was expecting him back in training soon.
Hearn said he would “only anticipate a very short delay to this great fight.” Apparently, Hearn wasn’t kidding if the new December 19th date holds.
The Golden Boy promotions CEO De La Hoya told Mike Coppinger that King Ryan vs. Luke fight would “most likely” take place on December 19th. That date could complicate things if Canelo Alvarez chooses to fight on the same day as he’s reportedly been planning on doing.
Unless Campbell (20-3, 16 KOs) needs more time to prepare, it looks like we’ve got a fight on December 19th with him and Ryan. Campbell better makes sure that he’s 100% healthy for this fight because we don’t need him making excuses afterward about him not being strong for the fight with Ryan because of his illness.
When this fight was first made, there was a lot of interest in the winner taking on WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney. At the time, that was an interesting potential match.
But now that Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis has beaten Leo Santa Cruz, there’s more interest in a fight between him and King Ryan. It’s a fight that they both want, and the boxing world is interested in seeing that match too.
Ryan is motivated to take on Tank for his WBA lightweight title, and more importantly for the bragging rights. If Ryan beats Tank, he would potentially be viewed as #2 at lightweight behind IBF/WBA/WBC/WBO champion Teofimo Lopez.
Haney is a good fight for Ryan Garica in the second half of 2021 if he beats Campbell and then Tank Davis.
Canelo and Ryan Garcia share the same trainer in Eddy Reynosa, which means he’ll make a decision which of his two popular fighters he’ll work in their corners that evening.
There’s zero possibility of Canelo fighting on a Golden Boy card on December 19th. As long as King Ryan, 22, is okay with Reynoso choosing to work Canelo’s corner on that date instead of him, it won’t create any drama.
Considering how popular Canelo is, it would be unrealistic for Reynoso to not be in his corner on December 19th.
“Just caught up with Oscar De LaHoya, who tells @TheAthletic the rescheduled King Ryan Garcia vs. Luke Campbell fight will “most likely” take place Dec. 19 on DAZN.
Oscar said Campbell was already 10 days into quarantine when they were notified about his COVID diagnosis. Great matchup,” said @MikeCoppiner.