In a recent statement that apparently took a swipe at Floyd Mayweather, Jr., reigning WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia (36-0,30 KOs) said his focus is not really on keeping his undefeated run intact because he is willing to fight anyone within the range of his weight class. On a condition, though, the opponent is a world title holder because Garcia intends to collect world title belts as many as possible and no matter the risk.
As a case in point, knowing Yuriorkis Gamboa (26-1, 17 KOs) , a former unified featherweight world champion, is in a comeback trail after having been stopped by Terence Crawford in 2014, Garcia stated he is only willing to fight the Cuban if he secures a world title belt. Yuriorkis Gamboa, 35, who won an Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games for his country wants to get back up in the mix of elite fighters in the neighboring divisions. He has since repulsed three but lesser opponents since the Crawford debacle.
Meanwhile, Mikey Garcia, 29, who captured just last January the WBC lightweight title of the previously unbeaten Montenegrin Dejan Zlaticanin, is focused on securing a unification bout with George Linares (42-3, 27 KO). Linares has recently retained his WBA lightweight crown by beating Anthony Crolla on unanimous decision. The ring meeting of Garcia and Linares is just a matter of time because the latter is also willing to meet former.
Should Yuriorkis Gamboa eventually get a world title and set-up a clash with Mikey Garcia, the fight is seen to produce a quality entertainment considering how great the protagonists are. Although at the end of the fight, it would likely be Garcia's hands that will be raised in victory by the referee, possibly by knockout. Gamboa is arguably a superb fighter with fast hands and feet but his punch resistance appears to be weak. That was evident when he fought and lost via TKO to Terence Crawford. Mikey Garcia and Terence Crawford has a similarity in their fight approach - very gradual in breaking down an opponent, very patient in waiting for the opponent to commit a mistake before unloading a fight-ending hammer blow.
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