Philippines, 28 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SPORTS SHORTS 59: MIKEY GARCIA SAYS MANNY PACQUIAO IS AIMING FOR LOW-RISK, HIGH REWARD FIGHTS


PhilBoxing.com




Mikey Garcia has been aiming a high-profile fight against former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao for at least two years now. Garcia (40-1, 33 KOs) says he still wants the fight against the 42-year-old Pacquiao, but he thinks that the Filipino icon is focusing on “low-risk, high reward” match-ups and these are against opponents Ryan Garcia or Conor McGregor, when he is about to call it a career.

* * *

Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) seems to prefer fighting psyched-up opponents that has stayed active and not just waiting for the huge payday. The former top pound-for-pound fighter of the world even at age 42, looks steadfast in keeping himself always in shape, and aims to achieve more success in his career. The 33-year-old Mikey, hasn’t fought in 12 months, and has been fighting only once a year since 2019, the last was a unanimous decision win over Jessie Vargas, who was also beaten by Pacman.

* * *

“Who wouldn’t? Everybody would like to fight Pacquiao,” said Mikey Garcia to Little Giant Boxing. “Is it going to happen? I don’t know. It was supposed to happen. Towards the end of the year, I heard him talking about Conor McGregor. Then he started talking about Ryan Garcia." Mikey revealed that he hasn't talked to him and opined that Pacquiao is looking for encounters with lesser risks.

* * *

“I haven’t talked to him. From that, it tells me that Manny is looking for a low-risk, high reward type of fight. He’s obviously earned to call the shots. He’s done it all in boxing. There’s nothing left for him to prove or claim." Garcia added that if Pacquiao wants to fight and retire on a big event because these guys he face would make such a huge happening with the least amount of risk, then so be it.

* * *

“He’s earned that right. If he’s looking for a real fight, a challenging fight, then he would have to look at actual welterweight fighters. Everybody would like to see Manny fight a big fight and challenge himself,” Garcia continued. If Pacquiao fights someone like Ryan Garcia, he’s earned it, according to Mikey. "I would fight him, but it’s not up to me. It’s up to Manny. I’m going to start training to get a little bit in shape,” said Mikey.

* * *

Pacquiao expressed interest in facing WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford which is not a “low-risk” level fight. But he is asking for $40 million, which during this time of pandemic and limited live audiences, is too difficult to raise. The question is Crawford is not of the same level as Conor McGregor or Ryan Garcia as a pay-per-view blockbuster.

* * *

Mikey says fans think he will be fighting Pacquiao. “People asking me if I’m fighting Pacquiao because they saw he’s training,” Mikey said. “He just announced that he started his training camp. It’s very impressive what he’s able to do, even at this age." Mikey commented that most fighters are unable to do that as Pacman takes care of his body, and has that drive and still has that hunger." It’s like an obsession with him to keep winning titles. They don’t have an age where they want to retire. They want to keep doing it until their body says, ‘No more.’"

* * *

Errol Spence Jr. had an easy night, defending his IBF world welterweight title for the fourth time with a convincing unanimous decision over Mikey Garcia on March 16, 2019 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The scores were 120-107, 120-108, 120-108 shutout on all three cards, as one judge scored a 10-8 round. Spence had landed 345 punches to Garcia's 75.

* * *

James Harden topscored 23 points for his team and handed 11 assists and Joe Harris added 21 points as the Brooklyn Nets beat the Los Angeles Lakers 109-98 on Thursday at the Staples Center. Kyrie Irving contributed 16 points and seven rebounds for the Nets, who grabbed their fifth successive win. Kevin Durant missed his third straight game due to a hamstring injury.
LeBron James led all scorers with 32 points on 14-of-23 shooting, hauling eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists for the Lakers. The defending champions played without Dennis Schroder for health and safety protocols and Anthony Davis, who will be sidelined for at least two to three weeks due to a calf strain.

* * *

Roel Velasco of Bago, Negros Occidental, represented the Philippines at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, where he won the bronze medal in the light flyweight class. In the semi-finals he was stopped by Cuba's eventual winner Rogelio Marcelo. He is the elder brother of Mansueto Velasco, who won the silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in the same weight division. Velasco's 1992 Olympic results:
Defeated James Wanene (Kenya) 16–1
Defeated Rajendra Prasad (India) 15–6
Defeated Rowan Williams (Great Britain) 7–6
Lost to Rogelio Marcelo (Cuba) RSC 1 (1:36)
Source : Wikipedia


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • 2 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Doors open for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS!
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026
  • Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando
    , Tue, 24 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.