Robert Garcia has denied reports that Mikey Garcia is on course to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on December 9th, 2023.
Speculation had linked Garcia with an exhibition fight against Mayweather after suggestions that it could be Showtime’s final card before they exit boxing at the end of the year. Garcia may be a four-division world champion, but the boxer walked away from the sport following his loss to Sandor Martin in 2021. The decision to call time on his career was a surprise, given that Garcia was only 33 at the time. Although Garcia is sparring in the gym, it appears that the fighter is simply staying in shape as opposed to making a comeback anytime soon.
“I said, ‘Mikey, are you serious about this?’ When the rumors about him and Mayweather, right away, I screenshotted it, and I sent it to Mikey, and I said, ‘Mikey, is that true?’ and Mikey said, ‘Nope, there’s no chance at all. I’m just doing it to stay in shape and not gain too much weight.’ So, that’s where we’re at right now.
“If something changes. I’m pretty sure we’ll be the first ones to know. Mikey isn’t going to try to do something without us knowing, but as of right now, it’s definitely a no. Maybe if it changes, I’m pretty sure Mikey will let us know, but right now, Mikey says there’s no chance at all,” Garcia
If Garcia is out of the picture, then Mayweather may naturally turn towards fighting a non-professional boxer as he has done so recently. The bouts against John Gotti III and Aaron Chalmers had shown that. But even with that, a fight on December 9th, 2023, would be in competition with Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis, a title fight that would most likely gain more traction.