I spoke briefly with the laureate Cuban coach about the possibility that a fight between the Venezuelan Jorge Linares and the Mexican American Mikey Garcia could take place in the coming months.
“We still have no definitive information on this fight, the WBC has just announced that it is a mandatory fight, and we are attentive to know what will happen in the coming months in relation to this fight,” said Salas.
Mikey Garcia has recently argued that he wants to continue his career in weight classes such as 140 and 147, but this mandatory fight at 135 pounds could cause Garcia and his team to try to return to a weight that many believe he can never go back to.
Since his most recent victory against Adrien Broner (UD), Garcia has expressed interest in facing fighters like Cotto and there has been talk of a possible fight with Crawford and others above at 147 pounds.
Jorge Linares comes from winning by split decision to Luke Campbell in a fight very competative over 12 rounds.
About this fight, Salas recalled: “Jorge Linares had the opportunity to knock Luke out early in the fight, I think in a rematch we will be looking to finish it earlier and not let the judges write their cards.
“If a rematch is made, I think we win before 12 rounds,” he added.
Linares has to make a trip to Japan very soon to fine-tune details with his promoter company, and then return to London.
However, Ismael Salas made it clear that they are ‘willing to make that fight against Garcia, … that’s the fight that we wish for’.
“Settling these fights takes time, I think both teams should hold some meetings and make clear the most important points like the purse for each fighter, the place and date of the fight and all those matters,” said Salas.
One of tne of the most accomplished Cuban coaches in professional boxing, Salas is now doing intense work with David Haye in London, preparing him for the fight against Tony Bellew. Salas hopes to take revenge on this rematch fight that has the UK split around who to support.
