Last month, Showtime unveiled their 2017 spring boxing schedule and revealed that both multi-division former world champion Adrien Broner and WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia were expected to make their ring returns this summer, but in separate events. Evidently, plans have changed. Multiple sources have informed FightHype.com that an immediate summer showdown between Broner and Garcia is currently in the works.
In an interview early last week, Garcia confirmed that he's already started training camp for a potential July fight against an unnamed opponent. "Today [May 16] is the first day of camp...the date is still not confirmed, so I should have a confirmed date in a week or two, but it seems like July, so that's why we decided to start today," Garcia explained to ESNews.
Broner also made a vague announcement last week about his next fight, posting an image on Instagram that read, "Only if y'all knew what was on the way," along with the caption, "#Boxing". Although he's still currently in Miami, Florida, it's no coincidence that Broner also found his way back to the gym, making the hour-long drive north to West Palm Beach so he can shake the rust off with world-class trainer Kevin Cunningham.
Although nothing is finalized and plans could easily change, it should be noted that Showtime Sports Executive Vice President and General Manager Stephen Espinoza has repeatedly expressed interest in a Broner vs. Garcia matchup. We're told that it would likely take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. If that's the case, one could expect to see the likes of New York residents Peter Quillin, Luis Collazo, or Chris Algieri also on the card. If the bout does indeed take place in July, as of this writing, the 15th and 29th appear to be open dates.
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UPDATE: FightHype.com has been advised that the fight is on the verge of being finalized for July 29 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Although we have yet to receive official confirmation, we're told that the fight will indeed take place at 140.
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