Shakur Stevenson has accepted Ryan Garcia’s proposal for a 144-pound catchweight showdown.
The 28-year-old Newark southpaw recently claimed the WBO world title at 140lbs with a dominant points win over Teofimo Lopez. Stevenson was subsequently stripped of his WBC belt at 135, but his stock has only risen as he continues calling out high-profile names across multiple divisions.
Garcia, who challenges Mario Barrios for the WBC Welterweight World Title next weekend in Las Vegas, named Stevenson as his preferred next opponent. Speaking to Ring Magazine, Garcia said: “I really want to fight Shakur. [The Haney rematch] is always gonna be there, but that’s who I want to fight. I want to go from Barrios to Shakur … 144. I’ll make a whole division called 44. Me and Shakur. He said he’d do it. I know he’s confident, so let’s run it.”
Stevenson wasted little time responding on X. “144 Ryan, let’s do it… I’ll be at your fight now scrub! VADA will be involved so don’t run from that.” The reference to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency points to Garcia’s previous failed test that resulted in his win over Devin Haney being overturned to a no contest. Stevenson later doubled down on his confidence, promising: “I’m gonna cook him.”
Will this fight ever happen? If yes, this could be one of the most awaited showdowns of the year.
Image Credit: ESPN