Page 21 - Boxing News Magazine (January 2020)

Photo: JOE CAMPOREALE/USA TODAY SPORTS Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE Photo: MARK J. REBILAS/USA TODAY SPORTS

. CANELO ALVAREZ . JOSH TAYLOR VS . FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS

8 VS CALLUM SMITH 9 MIKEY GARCIA 10 MANNY PACQUIAO II

WITH Canelo making it clear he won’t return AFTER a one-sided defeat to Errol Spence Jnr FIRST, take a breath. Resist the urge to tear up
to light-heavyweight anytime soon by vacating up at welterweight, Garcia recently signed this issue and set it on fire. Clear your mind
the WBO title he won from Sergey Kovalev, a deal with DAZN and Matchroom. Having and consider this – Mayweather-Pacquiao II
the Mexican looks set to return to either 168 won world honours at feather, super-feather, could be a lot of fun. Yes, Floyd is still retired,
or 160lbs. What seems more likely, at least lightweight and super-lightweight, Garcia but he seemingly confirmed on social media
for his first fight since beating Kovalev, is a stretched his body too far and was dominated that he’s returning in 2020. Pacquiao, as we
bout at super-middleweight, and the best by Spence over 12. Garcia recently announced know, is still fighting and seeing out the tail-
fight for Canelo there is with division leader he’ll return at 147lbs against Jessie Vargas – end of his career as lucratively as possible
and WBA champion Callum Smith. It’s been but there’s no denying Mikey is at his best – it’s also clear he won’t be going anywhere
mooted for a little while – ever since Canelo around the 135-140lb mark. It might be too near the likes of Terence Crawford and Errol
briefly stopped at super-middle to blitz Rocky much of an ask at this stage for him to go right Spence Jnr, and why should he? He’s got
Fielding – and with no standout opportunities back down to lightweight, so an ideal weight nothing left to prove. It doesn’t take a genius
at middleweight (besides the Golovkin trilogy), would be 140, where Taylor reigns supreme. to see where this is going.
Canelo will surely be looking at 168lbs, and The Scot holds two belts there, and while Mayweather isn’t coming back to take
“Mundo” is an obvious choice. an undisputed fight with Jose Ramirez is very on the best at welterweight – a Pacquiao
Since signing a record-breaking deal with appealing, Garcia is a far bigger name and rematch offers him the perfect risk/reward
DAZN, Canelo has faced decent enough much more established. Both can box, both balance. But, while Manny has been beating
opposition – the Kovalev fight was particularly can punch, and both have proven themselves the likes of Keith Thurman, Floyd hasn’t been
daring – but Smith would be a huge challenge, at the top level. Taylor’s promotional position fighting. Their first fight was disappointing,
and one that the execs at DAZN would means he can pretty much go where he but Mayweather’s hiatus won’t have helped
likely see as a worthwhile return on their likes in terms of broadcasters, and Garcia’s his reflexes or speed. And if Pacquiao was
investment. Having proven himself number reported one-fight deal with DAZN leaves his injured going into their initial bout, who’s to
one at super-welter and middleweight, Canelo options open as well. The problem lies in the say a fully-fit “Pac Man” couldn’t do a lot better
will surely be looking at the next frontier to rumours that Garcia is being manoeuvred in the return? Beside all that, it still remains a
conquer. The one man he needs to beat to into a position to fight Manny Pacquiao in late huge fight that would command an impressive
rule at 168lbs is Smith. 2020 – a hefty incentive for him to stay at 147. audience.
LIKELIHOOD: 6/10 LIKELIHOOD: 4/10 LIKELIHOOD: 6/10

Photo: ACTION IMAGES/LEE SMITH Photo: JOE CAMPOREALE/USA TODAY SPORTS Photo: JOE CAMPOREALE/USA TODAY SPORTS

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