Mikey Garcia has stated a showdown with Jorge Linares will take place this summer in what could potentially be a Lightweight unification bout.
Garcia, 30, will be in an interim fight before meeting Linares, as he faces Sergey Lipinets on the 10th February while Linares, 32, will take on Mercito Gesta on 27th January.
The WBC have ordered the two to face each other, though if Garcia is successful in defeating Lipinets, who currently holds the IBF Super Lightweight title, the American will need to decide whether he shall return to Lightweight at 140lbs.
“Both champions will fight each other immediately after their bouts,” said WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.
If Mikey Garcia defeats Lipinets, he will become a world title holder in his fourth weight division.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Garcia spoke about Sergey Lipinets and Jorge Linares.
“Lipinets has only had 13 fights but he had an extensive amateur career, a kick-boxing career so he’s a fighter all round and to win a world title in only his 13th fight shows he is legit, he’s the real deal,” said Garcia.
“I think Gesta is an easier fight for Linares, who is a top guy, is a champion in three divisions and has got the whole package. Even though he had a few losses early on in his career, he has bounced back like a real champion, and he is better now than he was before.
“I think at 135lbs it is the fight that makes the most sense for me and for him, and before I leave the division permanently I really want to solidify myself as the king of the lightweight division.
“Linares is not going to go down easy and I am not going to go down easy, so we really want to get in the ring in the summer.”
