Boxing continues to produce big stars, and one of the most well-known in the sport is Ryan Garcia, the WBC welterweight world champion. Before his recent win over Mario Barrios, Garcia’s career was at risk of stagnating.
He was becoming known for his failed drug test and no-contest against Devin Haney as much as for his obvious ability in the ring. “Kingry” has been linked with various fights moving forward, including rematches with Devin Haney and Rolly Romero. The legendary Roy Jones Jr recently spoke to Fight Hub TV, advising Garcia on who he should fight next.
Shakur Stevenson vs Ryan Garcia rumours
After his win over Barrios, Ryan Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) made it clear who he wants to face: You know who I want. He’s right there (at ringside), Shakur Stevenson, let’s go,” said Garcia.
Garcia has spoken openly about facing Stevenson and Shakur responded via 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,” said Stevenson.
Stevenson also recently spoke to Stephen A. Smith and was asked how he would beat Garcia:
“I think he’s very overrated. If a guy loses to Rolly that way…The way that I saw him lose to Rolly. All Rolly did was take away his left hook. That means clearly that’s all he got. He better sharpen up his weapons before he gets in the ring with me,” said Shakur.
The weight for this potential matchup has been rumoured to include a rehydration clause, but Garcia made it clear that he will not fight again with a rehydration clause, following his loss to Gervonta Davis back in 2023.
Garcia vs Stevenson: Roy Jones Jr weighs in
Speaking to Fight Hub TV about a potential Ryan Garcia vs Shakur Stevenson showdown, Jones Jr said:
“Ryan’s more comfortable at 147. And Shakur’s just coming up to 140. For the brain, 147 or a catchweight would be better for Ryan because he will try to make Shakur uncomfortable. But Shakur’s a hard match for anybody.
“That’s a tough call for anybody out there right now. I’m not gonna tell you I think he can beat Shakur, because they thought I said Tank would beat Shakur. I didn’t say Tank would beat him. I said Tank got the best chance. I didn’t say nobody gonna beat him. But Tank would be the one, in my opinion, who’d have the best chance to beat him.
“I think he (Ryan Gracia) should go and fight Shakur first, because it’s probably bigger money for him. Let Rolly fight Haney to see how that works out, because he didn’t beat Rolly. Let’s see what Haney does to Rolly. If Haney dominates Rolly, now, since you didn’t dominate Rolly and Haney did, you should give Haney the rematch.”
Do you agree with Roy Jones Jr’s potential roadmap for Garcia?