On Saturday night, Ryan Garcia will challenge undefeated WBC Super Lightweight champion Devin Haney for his title. Despite the tough matchup, Garcia has already set his sights on his next opponent. During a press conference on Tuesday, Garcia went face-to-face with Haney and then mentioned he wants to move up to 154 pounds to knock out Sebastian Fundora, who recently captured the WBC and WBO super welterweight titles with a split-decision victory over Tim Tszyu. Fundora is known for his aggressive style and impressive physical attributes, standing at 6’5”.
While the potential matchup between Garcia and Fundora sounds enticing, there are reasons to be cautious. Garcia would need to jump two weight classes to face Fundora, which is not a common move in boxing. Additionally, Fundora is currently mandatory challenger for pound-for-pound champion Terence Crawford, meaning he might not even be the champion when Garcia is ready to fight him. Despite these challenges, the idea of a fight between Garcia and Fundora would be easy to sell due to their popularity in the sport.
Garcia heads into his fight against Haney as a significant underdog, with various factors contributing to the wide odds against him. Factors such as his social media behavior, loss to Gervonta Davis in 2023, and Haney’s current form all play a role in his underdog status. While Garcia may have his eyes set on a potential showdown with Fundora, it is crucial for him to focus on the immediate challenge at hand and not look past Haney. Winning against Haney would likely increase Garcia’s chances of securing a high-profile fight against someone like Fundora in the future.
Regardless of the outcome of the fight between Garcia and Haney, a potential matchup between Garcia and Fundora could still materialize if both fighters continue to perform well in their respective weight classes. The idea of two popular boxers facing off in the ring is always appealing to fans and promoters alike. However, it is essential for Garcia to remain focused on the task at hand and not overlook his upcoming title shot against Haney. The boxing world will be watching closely to see how Garcia performs in this critical matchup and how his future in the sport unfolds.
