By Dan Ambrose: Mikey Garcia is looking for a world title shot against Errol Spence Jr or Yordenis Ugas. The former four-division world champion Mikey (40-0, 30 KOs) has started training to take off the weight that he’s put on in the last 12 months during the pandemic.
Garcia, 33, admits that it’s possible that he won’t get fights against either Spence or Ugas, though. Those fighters could meet in a unification match at 147, which would be a big deal.
The fans would be interested in seeing the unbeaten Spence (27-0, 21 KOs) take on the newly upgraded Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs). The World Boxing Association elevated to ‘Super’ champ after they stripped inactive champion Manny Pacquiao.
Mikey’s problem in getting champions like Spence or Ugas to fight him is his inactivity, weight gain, and the fact that he hasn’t beaten anyone good at 147.
Although Mikey picked up his first win at welterweight last year in February against a past his prime Jessie Vargas, he hasn’t beaten anyone relevant in the division.
Moreover, Mikey didn’t look good against Vargas, a fighter that had recently fought Adrien Broner to a 12-round draw.
“I’d be interested in a rematch, but he’s not going to be interested in a rematch. I got to earn the spot. I got to win one or two [fights],” said Mikey Garcia to ESNEWS when asked if he’d be open to facing Errol Spence Jr again.
There’s no demand for a rematch between Spence and Mikey, as their fight in March 2019 was a one-sided affair. Spence shooled Mikey, beating him by a 12 round unanimous decision by 120-107, 120-108, and 120-108.
The contest was so lopsided in Spence’s favor that it’s unlikely that the boxing public will ever show interest in a rematch.
For Mikey to have a second chance at fighting Spence, he’s going to need to beat these type of contenders:
- Vergil Ortiz Jr
- Keith Thurman
- Danny Garcia
- Shawn Porter
- David Avanesyan
- Jaron Ennis
It’s doubtful that Mikey beats any of those fighters, and, likely, he would never dare to try to face them.
“Possibly, but is Ugas going to fight me? He might be interested in fighting someone else thinking he’s going to get the Spence fight,” Mikey said when asked if he might take on WBA ‘Super’ welterweight champion Yordnis Ugas to earn a rematch with Spence.
“He [Ugas] might decide to take someone else; I don’t know. It’s not just what we want. It’s what other people want. That’s what makes it complicated to get.” said Mikey.
Ugas might be interested in fighting Mikey if he campaigns for that fight 24/7, how he did to try to get a match against Pacquiao.
If all Mikey talks about night and day is a title shot against Ugas, he could potentially get the fight. Ugas is likely going to face Spence now that he’s been elevated to WBA Super World 147lb champ.