"A world champion like Sergey Lipinets is more exciting an opponent for me than an easy title defense," Garcia said. "I wanted a challenge and this man presents that. He's a bigger man, naturally. He's going to be very hungry and motivated. He knows a victory over me launches his career to the top. That's going to make this an interesting fight.
"To win a world title in a fourth division is a big deal to me. My dad [famed trainer Eduardo Garcia] always wanted a three-division world champion, and now I have a chance to give him a fourth title. That's something that really excites me. It would be a great accomplishment to be in the discussion with guys like Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez," Garcia said. "That would be a win in itself. But it wasn't on my mind when taking this fight. I just want to keep fighting the best out there. There's still more for me to accomplish until I'm on the same level as Pacquiao and Marquez."