Mikey Garcia was more than willing to jump up two or three weight classes, depending on how you look at it, to challenge Miguel Cotto. But signing a multi-fight deal with Cotto’s promoter, Golden Boy, was more than Mikey was willing to do to get the Cotto fight which certainly would have been the biggest payday of his career. Garcia certainly is holding steadfast to his principals as he refuses to sign with a promoter and remain a free agent. He took a two-year hiatus in the prime of a promising career a because of a dispute with Top Rank, his former promoter. So it should come as no surprise that Garcia who is the current WBC lightweight titleholder refused to sign a multi-fight deal with Golden Boy to take on the likes of Jorge Linares. While a potential fight with Linares is certainly intriguing to fight fans, Linares is a talented but inconsistent and flawed fighter that Mikey would ultimately expose in a 12 round fight. Not to mention as Garcia pointed he is the WBC diamond champ and the young Garcia tweeted out In reference to facing him

Linares,” i can get Linares by wbc orders. and im working on some fights with promoters just not long term or multiple fights vs ???”

So, it does seem Mikey can get Linares by orders if necessary, but if that still can’t get made for the time being below are five better fights that allow Mikey to remain a free agent:

Tank Davis- This is the most realistic, he is a big name a big talent and a big money fight and a big fighter. He has surrendered his 130-pound belt at the scale which he came under great scrutiny for but let’s not forget just a few years ago, Mikey also surrendered he’s Jr lightweight strap at the scales. Point is this a lightweight fight both fighters are young and at their primes or just entering their primes. There is more money in this fight than a Linares fight and it won’t require Mikey to sign with Golden Boy.

Keith Thurman- Garcia has already called Thurman out, he has already beat a former welterweight strap holder in Broner. Mikey is a more disciplined fighter than “One Time” and would have a legit shot against the current king of the 147-pound weight class. Thurman seems hesitant to commit to a Crawford or a Sence fight. Perhaps Thurman would be willing to fight Garcia.

Danny Swift Garcia- Swift has been MIA since his lost to One Time. An all Garcia match up is an entertaining fight and stylistically it bodes well for Mikey. It’s got a little Puerto Rico Vs Mexico rivalry. It will have a little Angel Garcia Vs Robert Garcia trash talk in the build-up which will be you must watch tv. There’s nothing about a Garcia Vs Garcia fight that wouldn’t be entertaining. A win at 147 makes Mikey a major player at 147.

Manny Pacquiao- Mikey can be the new Pac Man. This decade’s Manny Pacquiao a fighter with the ability to move smoothly up the weight classes by beating big named fighters. He already has AB under his belt. If he can add Pacquiao to his resume, he would have done so on a major PPV card in front of possibly a million paid viewers and would be well on his way to being one of boxing next big stars.

Terry Flanagan- Frank Warren is constantly complaining that no one will step up to fight his man, Flanagan. It is now rumored that Flannagan will be vacating and moving to 140 because he couldn’t secure a Linares fight or any other major fight at 135. Well, Mikey Garcia, is upset about the difficulties of securing a Linares fight, he has a strap at 135 and said he would fight Flanagan if the price is right. This makes too much sense. Mikey will fight anyone at any time, Flanagan seems like he would do the same. They could do this in the UK, it would be a killer payday for Mikey and its a better fight than Lineras.