Former world champion and veteran promoter Barry McGuigan expects Mikey Garcia (37-0, 30 KOs) to topple Jorge Linares (43-3-, 27 KOs) - if the two lightweight champions battle later this year.
The World Boxing Council recently ordered Garcia to make a mandatory defense of his WBC lightweight crown against Linares, who holds the WBA title and is also the WBC's Diamond champion.
Before they are capable of locking up, Linares will defend his WBA title against Mercito Gesta on January 27th and next month Garcia will move up to junior welterweight to challenge undefeated Sergey Lipinets for the IBF title.
McGuigan is not really focused on Garcia's journey to win a fourth divisional belt, because he's not overly impressed with the opponent.
"Garcia seems obsessed with going through divisions. After winning his first world title at featherweight, victory would make him a four-weight champ. For me the calibre of the man you beat is more important than the bauble. No-one remembers what belt you won," McGuigan said to The Mirror.
"And there is little glory in walking through Lipinets. Hopefully he shares my world view and is willing to drop back down to 135 to defend his WBC strap.
McGuigan, like most in the UK, is very familiar with Linares - because the boxer has defeated several British boxers - including Kevin Mitchell, Anthony Crolla twice, and Olympic gold medal winner Luke Campbell.
"What a fight it would be against Linares, a beautiful boxer to watch. British fans have got to know him well after his wins against Kevin Mitchell, Anthony Crolla twice and Luke Campbell," McGuigan said.
"Basically Linares was just too good for all of them, though Campbell showed some courage fighting so soon after the death of his father. Linares is a classic box-fighter, a stiff hitter throwing long, lacerating punches and never, ever off balance. Garcia’s most obvious attribute is his power. He hits like a mule and his punch placement is just so special. I don’t think I have ever seen a fighter hit an opponent bang on the button quite like he does."
And if they ever collide in the ring? McGuigan believes Garcia wins by knockout by the middle rounds.
He actually feels Garcia might power through Linares in a similar manner to what Sergio Thompson accomplished in 2012.
"It will be a compelling duel while it lasts. Linares, who has lost only three times in his long, 46-fight career, is unbeaten since walking into a threshing machine called Sergio Thompson in 2012," McGuigan said.
"Linares was caught with a looping over-the-top right and overwhelmed before going down with a cut left eye in the second round which ended the fight. I think the outcome would be the same, Garcia eventually getting through to finish it in the middle rounds."