For some time, boxing fans have been salivating at the thought of a potential clash between pound-for-pound superstars Vasiliy Lomachenko and Mikey Garcia, including Lomachenko.
At a recent media workout, Lomachenko, the current WBA lightweight champion, spoke on whether or not he would welcome a fight against Garcia. But before Lomachenko can fight Garcia, he will have to face WBO champion Jose Pedraza in December in a unification bout.
"I hope [it will happen]. We can see in the future because my next fight is against Pedraza. After Pedraza, we can talk about fighting Mikey," Lomachenko said.
A victory over Pedraza would mean Lomachenko would hold the WBA and WBO titles. As for the other two titles, Garcia is the other unified champions. Lomachenko said he recognizes that winning the fight against Pedraza would mean big fights in the future for the two-time Olympic gold medalist. Should Lomachenko and Garcia meet as unified champions, it would mean the crowning of the first undisputed lightweight champion since Pernell Whitaker in the early 1990s and ninth man to be crowned the undisputed champion at that weight.
"I can't wait. After this fight, a lot of doors will be open. Title unification fights are good for the sport of boxing," Lomachenko said.
The fight between Lomachenko and Pedraza, the first for both men as lightweight champions, is scheduled to headline a Top Rank on ESPN card from Madison Square Garden on December 8. It will mark the third straight fight Lomachenko fights in the main event of a boxing card at Madison Square Garden.
