Sean O’Malley stepped into the boxing vicinity hours after being predicted to do so following his superb crowing as UFC bantamweight champion.
The 28-year-old blasted Aljamain Sterling out in two rounds to score a defining victory in an already assured pre-fight legacy.
It was destiny for O’Malley to rule the division after catching the eye in many bouts and moments before UFC 292.
Sean O’Malley called out for a boxing match
Now, after only enjoying his moment briefly, O’Malley was called out by a predicted source of influencer boxer Ryan Garcia.
A cross-code clash between the pair would undoubtedly have mass appeal, and Garcia had no problems stoking the fires.
Pointed to a previous interview with O’Malley where the UFC superstar said he’d be open to a fight, Garcia clapped back, despite admitting he’s a fan.
“Suga Sean, you are good and all, but stop talking about this ‘I’m going to box’ stuff,” said Garcia. He added: “You’ll just get knocked out.”
It didn’t take the outspoken O’Malley long to respond. He said: “Like you did [against Gervonta Davis] or different?”
Garcia responded by stating: “Boxing and MMA are two different sports. If you need a reminder, let me know. I’ll gladly do a tune-up for my return fight.”
Fans got into the mix, asking Garcia why he went for O’Malley. The Golden Boy star explained by showing the clip of the O’Malley YouTube interview.
“He’s been calling me out. Now he said he wants to knock out boxers. I like how he fights, but he’s tripping.”
O’Malley vs Garcia or Davis
As many did across the combat world, Garcia tuned in as O’Malley slapped the taste out of Sterling’s mouth in round two. At the time, and before they exchanged verbal jabs, Garcia had admired the Helena man’s handy work.
“Suga Sean [is] too lit,” gushed Garcia.
Pay Per View could go off the chart if the pair get together inside a squared circle. However, if Garcia ever enters serious talks with the UFC, Gervonta Davis may have something to say about it.
Davis knocked Garcia out and would want some piece of a cross-codes pie if word got out that Garcia vs O’Malley could happen.
“Tank” is the top name in boxing’s lightweight division, pushing to land big fights in the super lightweight class in 2024.
O’Malley faces Davis in Las Vegas, which could be a more significant event in a clash of the most prominent names in both codes at 135 pounds.
Phil Jay is an experienced boxing news writer.
