IBF junior welterweight champion Mikey Garcia (38-0, 30 KOs) is not stepping away from the idea of colliding with Errol Spence (23-0, 20 KOs), who holds the IBF welterweight title, at some point in the future.
This past Saturday night in San Antonio, Texas - history was made when Garcia became a four division world champion with a twelve round unanimous decision over Sergey Lipinets to capture the IBF belt at the Freeman Coliseum.
Garcia captured a world title at featherweight, super featherweight - and still holds the WBC lightweight title. Eventually he wants to come up to 147 to capture a fifth world title.
Garcia is now under the gun to decide his next move.
The IBF has given him a March 22 deadline to decide if he intends to make a mandatory defense against Ivan Baranchyk, who won an eliminator last Friday with a TKO of Petr Petrov.
“I have options at 135, 140 and 147. No other fighter has those options. I really enjoy the freedom in that,” Garcia said to Premier Boxing Champions.
“I’ve got at least two potential opponents to pick and choose from in each of those divisions. I have no serious injuries, so I think a return in May or June is doable for me.”
In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com, Garcia discussed his desire to step in the ring with Spence in the future.
After feeling the power and size of a full junior welterweight - Garcia is still very eager to lace up the gloves against Spence, who many regard as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the entire sport.
“What excites me the most about Spence is that obviously he’s a big, attractive fight,” Garcia said. “He’s arguably the best 147-pounder and would be the biggest challenge of my career.”
“Easier fights won’t bring me the respect or recognition or make me someone people take seriously or accept as a champion. But if you take on the big fights, people will always love you. That’s the only way that I’ll be remembered. That does more for my legacy.”
