WBO orders Garcia-Tagoe final eliminator

Garcia is ranked #2 by the WBO, Tagoe #3

Refusing to fight on July 4th continues to pay dividends for Ryan Garcia. In addition to his ordered WBC interim title fight against Luke Campbell, “Kingry” has received marching orders from WBO chief Paco Valcarcel to fight Emmanuel Tagoe in a final eliminator. The two have 20 days to negotiate and 90 subsequent days to actually share the ring.

The two are ranked #2 and #3, respectively, by the sanctioning body. #1 Lee Selby and #5 George Kambosos Jr. are set for an IBF eliminator, so #4 Denys Berinchyk would presumably get the call if someone pulled out.

While this fight wouldn’t have hardware on the line, it does have its share of advantages for Garcia (20-0, 17 KO). Tagoe (31-1, 15 KO) is a far less imposing foe than Campbell; though unbeaten since his debut, the 31-year-old Ghanaian has exclusively fought B-level opponents. His most notable wins came over former champions Paulus Mosos and Mzonke Fana, which would be more impressive if the two weren’t in their 40s at the time.

Critically, this would also give Garcia a mandatory shot at the winner of Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez, while fighting Campbell would force him to deal with Devin Haney beforehand.