Garcia calls out Mayweather for official pro fight to put unbeaten record on line

Garcia says negotiations have begun; also pursuing unification bout with Lopez

Ryan Garcia (left) throws a punch at Mario Barrios in the fourth round of their WBC welterweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Feb. 21 (local time). Garcia retained the championship by decision. [Getty Images]

A potential showdown between undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather (49, United States) and reigning world champion Ryan Garcia (28, United States) is in the works. Garcia has called for a sanctioned professional bout — one that would put Mayweather's 50-0 record on the line.

MMA and boxing outlet Bloody Elbow reported Monday that Garcia announced negotiations with Mayweather had begun.

Garcia, the WBC welterweight champion, successfully made his first title defense last month, stopping Conor Benn of Britain by KO in the second round at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

At a recent promotional event in Miami, Garcia confirmed he was in talks with Mayweather. While trading words with former world champion Adrien Broner at the event, Garcia expressed confidence, saying, "I'm going to knock Mayweather out." He went further, taunting the retired legend: "If I hurt him early, it's over. I've seen him in person — he's small and his wrists are like a baby's."

Garcia had earlier claimed on social media that Mayweather reached out to him first, and said he wants a fully sanctioned professional fight — not an exhibition. His goal, he said, is a contest with real stakes: Mayweather's perfect record.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. attends a news conference on May 7 (local time) at Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas to announce an exhibition bout against Mike Zambidis. The fight was ultimately canceled. [Getty Images]

Mayweather retired in 2017 after defeating UFC star Conor McGregor to finish his professional career at 50-0. He has stepped into the ring several times since, but all those appearances were exhibitions that did not count toward his official record.

Garcia is also pursuing a fight with longtime rival Teofimo Lopez of the United States. According to Sky Sports and boxing publication The Ring, both sides are in negotiations targeting the first quarter of 2027.

If Lopez — who recently claimed the WBA welterweight title by defeating Rolly Romero — faces WBC champion Garcia, a unification bout would be on the line. However, a mandatory defense order requiring Lopez to fight Jack Catterall remains a complicating factor.

Opinion is divided on Mayweather's potential return. Former world champion Amir Khan of Britain criticized the move, saying Mayweather is trying to exploit the popularity of younger stars to make money and attract attention.

Mayweather this year pursued an exhibition against Mike Tyson and a rematch with Manny Pacquiao, but both fell through due to contractual issues. An exhibition against former K-1 MAX fighter and boxer Mike Zambidis, scheduled to take place in Greece, was also canceled.

yjc@heraldcorp.com