Luis Garcia makes his case for fighting DeGale after Warren issues offer
Luis “El Leon” Garcia (9-0, 7 KOs) would like to jump on the wagon for a fight with British gold medallist James “Chunky” DeGale if a bout can’t be arranged between DeGale and rival George Groves.
Yesterday DeGale’s promoter, Frank Warren, issued a written offer to Groves for a fight against DeGale on December 11. Warren said Groves had 48 hours to accept the terms, or risk losing a fight with
DeGale indefinitely. Garcia, however, said he would be willing to sign on without needing any time to analyze terms.
“I would accept that fight in a split second,” he said. “I could get some Christmas shopping done in London and show Chumpy DeGale what professional boxing is all about so it sounds like a fun weekend
to me.”
Garcia and DeGale were stopped from meeting at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing after politics ensured Garcia, a Cuban fighter, was overlooked for the team in favour of Emilio Correa, who eventually faced
DeGale in the finals and lost.
Garcia clarified the political issues that impeded him from an Olympic appearance. “Correa's father was a Gold medalist in the 1972 Olympics and he is a powerful figure in amateur boxing in Cuba, so it
was no surprise to me that I was overlooked for the 2008 Olympics in favour of his son,” Garcia said. “I should have gone to that Olympics but it wasn't to be so now I am concentrating on my professional career […] DeGale would not have beaten me in Beijing
and he certainly would not beat me now, but if he wants to prove me wrong then that's not a problem although I'm not expecting a written offer any time soon! I'm pretty sure DeGale won't want any part of me.”
Garcia relocated to Cork and turned pro in 2008. His promoter, Brian Peters, thinks he is the best prospective talent in International boxing. Peters said given the opportunity he would put Garcia in
the ring with any super middleweight in the world right now. He cited Garcia's recent bout with Christian Cruz as evidence of Garcia's talents, saying he made Cruz "look like a novice."
In the past Cruz went to the 12th round went IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, and the tenth with light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal.
"I believe it's only a matter of time before Luis is one of the sport’s biggest names," Peters said.
At this point there has been no word from Frank Warren’s side regarding Garcia’s open challenge.
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