Ryan Garcia would lose WBC title fight to Floyd Mayweather, says Eddie Hearn

Eddie Hearn believes Ryan Garcia's claim that Floyd Mayweather has agreed to fight him for the WBC welterweight title is real, and the promoter expects the 49-year-old to win.

Eddie Hearn has backed Ryan Garcia's claim that a fight with Floyd Mayweather is on, and he has predicted that the unbeaten 49-year-old would take the WBC welterweight title from him.

On 21 October, Garcia said in a social media post that Mayweather had agreed to come out of retirement to face him at 147lbs. The post read: “Trust me, I thought it was bull****, but it’s real and Floyd and I have agreed to fight. 147lbs for the WBC welterweight championship. 50-0 vs the current champ.” Many doubted the claim because of Mayweather's recent history. Earlier this year he announced a comeback against Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao after reported financial difficulties. Neither contest has taken place, and it is unclear whether either will, even though Mayweather signed and took advances on payments. That has led many to suspect a Garcia fight is a publicity stunt.

Hearn believes it is genuine and said a title fight would be a better use of Mayweather's return than his exhibitions. He said: “I've got to be honest with you, I hate seeing Floyd Mayweather do these exhibitions. If he wants to come back and fight Ryan Garcia, I'm all for it because that's a real fight.” The promoter said he thinks Mayweather beats Garcia. He called a comeback against a reigning world champion a sign of greatness and contrasted it with what he described as a money grab against a DJ from Greece.

Mayweather is 50-0 with 27 knockouts. He has not fought professionally since his stoppage of Conor McGregor, although he has boxed in exhibitions since then.

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