Ryan Garcia is gearing up for a return to the ring in the first quarter of 2027.

The last time he stepped between the ropes in September, 'King Ry' blew away Conor Benn inside two rounds to retain his WBC welterweight crown.

3

Now, he is eyeing a blockbuster showdown with either Floyd Mayweather or Teofimo Lopez.

Garcia revealed during a recent live stream that February 6 is the working date for him to fight either man.

However, both bouts come with their own separate stumbling blocks.

The issues surround a fight with Lopez

A bout with WBA title-holder Lopez has been complicated by 'The Takeover's' mandatory obligations.

The WBA has ordered Lopez to defend his 'super' belt against secondary 'regular' champion Jack Catterall.

Both parties were given until October 22 to reach an agreement before a purse bid would be scheduled.

But Lopez's team have since launched a petition with the WBA to grant Lopez a unification bout with Garcia next.

Lopez's manager, Keith Connolly, recently told BoxingScene: “We have put legal paperwork in, and they said they're going to revise and consider us getting an exception.

“We've challenged their mandatory defense because if you look at the WBA ‘super’ champion rules, they're allowed to make a unification.

"We're petitioning the WBA, and we think that we have the right, within the WBA ‘super’ champion rules, to make the unification fight.”

3

3

Connolly is referring to WBA rule (c.19), which states that if a champion is seeking to “unify an association title with that of another organisation”, the rules around a mandatory obligation “may be suspended or modified when the association deems it justified”, and they will “consider a request for special permit (or exception)”. 

Mayweather's legal problems threaten Garcia fight

The issues surrounding a bout between Garcia and Mayweather are all the more difficult to overcome.

Mayweather is currently contractually obligated to face Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao before proceeding with any other fights.

He is also embroiled in a lengthy legal battle with event production company CSI Sports over those fights.

CSI sued Mayweather in June for breach of contract, alleging that he took a $2.75 million advance to have the Pacquiao fight streamed on Netflix after receiving $4.65 million in advances from CSI for exclusive promotional rights to the Tyson and Pacquiao bouts.

Mayweather could have further legal problems on his hands if he signs to fight Garcia.

Watch Boxing on DAZN

*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue

Sign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.

Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.

Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.