Eddie Hearn says he likes Floyd Mayweather v Ryan Garcia and thinks Mayweather can win

The Matchroom promoter compared a Mayweather return to a 'welterweight George Foreman coming back' and said Garcia should otherwise be fighting Devin Haney.

Eddie Hearn said he likes the idea of Floyd Mayweather fighting Ryan Garcia, and that he thinks Mayweather can beat the WBC welterweight champion.

Speaking at the post-fight press conference after Dalton Smith's split-decision win over Alberto Puello in Sheffield on Saturday night, the Matchroom promoter was asked about Garcia calling Mayweather out on social media. He said: "I like the fight, right, and I feel weird saying that because I've never really liked any fight that Floyd has talked about doing since he retired."

Hearn said this was different because Mayweather would be coming back to fight "the reigning world champion". He said: "Floyd's Floyd and I think Floyd can beat Ryan Garcia. Maybe he's just too old and maybe he can't, but I'll tell you what, when would you ever back against Floyd Mayweather?" He added: "Imagine him coming out and fighting Ryan Garcia and beating him to become WBC world champion."

He said a Mayweather fight is "always going to be a money grab", but that a title fight would have "a little bit of legacy attached to it". He went on: "This is almost like a welterweight George Foreman coming back." Hearn said the fight would "do huge numbers", and that if it does not happen, "I think Ryan Garcia should be fighting Devin Haney."

Garcia kept his WBC welterweight title with a second-round stoppage of Conor Benn in Las Vegas in September. Mayweather retired unbeaten.

READ NEXTEddie Hearn says Conor Benn is 'at the bottom of the pile' at Zuffa BoxingRead the next story →

Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing

Add Combat Sports UK as a preferred source on Google