With first-hand experience of both men, rising Irish star Stevie McKenna believes Luke Campbell will stop Ryan Garcia when the two lightweight contenders meet later this year.
McKenna (4-0, 4 KOs) has previously sparred Garcia and been helping Campbell to prepare for his WBC interim title bout with the popular Californian. That fight is still awaiting a date and venue after being ordered by the WBC amid a confusing title picture at 135lbs.
The heavy-handed McKenna certainly respects Garcia, but it is a fight he would fancy himself after their spar, whereas he has been suitably impressed by Hull’s Campbell.
“It was a great spar, he’s very fast,” McKenna told Sky Sports. “[Garcia] is sharp, but I did four good rounds and I laid it into him. It was good work. It’s a fight I would also like down the line. He didn’t want any more, put it that way.
“He found it hard to handle my pressure. I’m a very come-forward, aggressive fighter and it was different for him.
“Right now, I would take it [a fight against Garcia],” he continued. “Luke is looking really sharp. I think Luke would win by stoppage.
“[Garcia is] at the stage in his career where he’s 20-0, he has to take these fights, if he wants to make it to the top. It will be an interesting fight to say the least.”