Mikey Garcia vacates Lightweight Title

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Mikey Garcia has vacated the WBC Lightweght title.

“I’ve been speaking with (WBC president) Mauricio Sulaiman, and I know the organization requires the champion to defend their title, and I haven’t had the opportunity to do that. Not that I wouldn’t want to. I would love to be able to defend my title, but there are also other options that I am exploring,” Garcia said during an appearance on “Inside PBC Boxing” on Wednesday night.

Later in the interview, Garcia said, “I’m going to vacate the title. I don’t plan on fighting right now, my next fight, at 135.”

And so on Thursday he vacated. He said the reason was because he wanted to “look at options at 147 (pounds).”

“It’s hard to say definite. For the moment we are (done at lightweight). For the moment,” he said. “My next fight’s not going to be at lightweight and that’s the reason why I will vacate the title. My next fight will not be at lightweight therefore the title will be vacant.

“I want to see what options are available at 140 or 147 for my return fight. But I do want to pursue another title shot at 147. I really do. So at that time we’ll see who is available, which champion is available and willing to give me a shot. My next fight might be at 140. It might be at 147. I’m not sure yet. I got to explore those options. I want big fights. If I can get another title shot next I would do it. Probably not going to happen but I would definitely jump on a title opportunity. I do want a fifth world title in a fifth division.”

“The WBC Board of Governors will review the lightweight division to order a fight for the WBC lightweight world championship involving mandatory challenger Luke Campbell in the coming days,” the WBC said.