Final Showtime PPV Rumored to Feature Mayweather Jr., Thurman, and Garcia
Yesterday we reported that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is rumored to face Mikey Garcia, in an exhibition matchup, that will headline a December 9th PPV, in what will be the last PPV card that Showtime broadcasts. Mikey Garcia (40 – 2, 30 KO) last fought in an October 2021 loss to Sandor Martin, while the 46-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been relatively active regarding exhibition matchups over the past three years. The 35-year-old Garcia will be the most notable opponent Mayweather will have faced in his exhibition career by far, though given that both fighters are retired, expectations for action should be tempered.
Leading into the matchup, Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia are rumored to be fighting in separate bouts. It’s rather unfortunate that the two will not be facing off in a rematch given their status as former champions and fighters claiming to desire increased activity. Of course, the two former champions have a strong history, as Thurman defeated Garcia in a thrilling split-decision victory back in 2017.
Keith Thurman (30 – 1, 22 KO, 1 NC), who last fought in February 2022, is rumored to face Eimantas Stanionis (14 – 0, 9 KO, 1 NC). Stanionis was supposed to face Vergil Ortiz on two separate occasions this year, though both Sanionis was forced to withdraw in March, and Ortiz was forced to withdraw in July due to separate injuries.
Danny Garcia (37 – 3, 21 KO) is rumored to challenge Erislandy Lara (29 – 3 – 3, 17 KO) for his WBA middleweight title, which was elevated from a ‘regular’ to the true ‘super’ title in mid-2023. Garcia last fought in February 2022, and by the fight date, will have competed once in the past three calendar years. Lara on the other hand, last fought in May 2022 and will attempt to defend his title for the first time.
If the Mayweather vs Garcia, Keith Thurman vs Eimantas Stanionis, and Danny Garcia vs Erislandy Lara rumors are true, their PPV event would be in direct competition with the Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis event. An exhibition matchup on PPV going up against the world title fight, on the same night, will be a tough sell for Showtime.
Danny Garcia and Thurman will be in for tough matchups against Stanionis and Lara respectively as the two former champions are coming off long layoffs. Stanionis offers Thurman a competitor in his prime, and Lara, even at his advanced age of 40, provides a stiff test to Garcia given his length and awkward fighting style.
With less than two months until the rumored PPV date, it will be interesting to see this card come together as none of the three fights have graduated past the ‘rumor’ stage. Given that two of these fighters are retired, two have been very inactive, and one is 40 years of age, it’s a tough sell to send Showtime Boxing off with.