Oscar De La Hoya would love to make a fight this year between his young contender Ryan Garcia and legendary fighter Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao is planning to fight Conor McGregor before the end of the year, but appears likely to compete only a handful more times before he makes a final retirement to focus on Philipino politics, where he is already a senator.
Speaking to Snowqueen LA, De La Hoya said that Garcia is improving so quickly that other fighters are taking a risk if they wait to fight him.
“Ryan Garcia, the longer people wait to fight him, the longer these fights take to happen, the more dangerous he’s going to get. Ryan Garcia, he wants Tank Davis tomorrow.
“He wants to fight and he says he’ll knock him out in two rounds, and we’re going to push for that fight because that’s what he wants.
“If for some reason it doesn’t get made, the more time that passes by, Ryan Garcia gets better and better.
“He’s going to become a force that is going to be unstoppable. When he tightens up his defense, when he gets stronger.
“He hasn’t developed his man strength yet, and he’s already very strong. His speed is impeccable.
“Yeah, I want that fight [Davis vs. Garcia] to happen, but if for some reason it doesn’t happen and it happens down the road. The more time that passes the better the chances for Ryan against anyone,” said De La Hoya.
Moving onto the idea of De La Hoya being able to make a fight between Garcia and Pacquiao, the 47-year-old boxer said he would instantly take such a deal.
“I would make that in a heartbeat,” said De La Hoya. “I would literally make that fight.
“And I would make that fight at the end of this year or the first quarter of next year. I love that fight for Ryan. That takes Ryan to a whole another level.
“When you’re inside fighting with a legend, it’s kind of like changing of the guards. When I fought Floyd Mayweather, and he beat me, Floyd Mayweather skyrocketed to superstardom.”
The promoter believes that Garcia would be given the platform to announce himself onto a global stage of boxing, and beyond the sport’s usual audience.
“And when Manny Pacquiao fought me and beat me, he skyrocketed to superstardom. This would be the same thing,” he said.
“It would be the changing of the guard for Ryan Garcia and Manny Pacquiao.
Garcia’s commercial appeal is something that De La Hoya is keen to exploit, believing that a win over Pacquiao could launch him further along his career.
“Ryan Garcia is a special fighter inside and outside of the ring,” said De La Hoya.
“If you put together an Elvis Presley and Brad Pitt, a Canelo Alvarez, and Oscar De La Hoya, you have Ryan Garcia
“If Ryan can somehow defeat Pacquiao, it’ll take his career to the next level. He’ll be transformed into a star overnight.”