Shakur Stevenson was impressed with Ryan Garcia’s WBC welterweight title victory over Mario Barrios and said that he was open to facing the new champion later in 2026.
The WBO champion at 140lbs, from Newark, New Jersey, was asked about a possible future fight and at what weight it would take place at given Garcia is a champion at 147lbs.
“We’re gonna meet in the middle,” Stevenson said, suggesting a catchweight on the DAZN broadcast. “Two big stars; big fight; we don’t need a belt for the fight.”
Stevenson is 25-0 (11 KOs) and the 28-year-old is coming off a dominant win over Teofimo Lopez.
Garcia is 25-2 (20 KOs). At 27, the victory over Barrios is one of the best of his career.
He lost to Rolando “Rolly” Romero in May 2025 and before that had served a ban after ostarine was found in his system for his fight with Devin Haney.
Stevenson, referring to the failed test and Garcia’s impressive display against Barrios, said: “Was VADA involved in this fight [against Barrios]? Because I seen [Garcia] against Rolly [Romero] and he didn’t look like that. If he’s fighting me next, I’m all for the challenge but VADA will be involved.”
DAZN’s presenters did say that VADA had worked on Barrios-Garcia.
Stevenson and Garcia later crossed paths backstage afterwards and shook hands.
“I’m ready,” said Shakur.
“Let’s do it,” countered Garcia.
“Make it happen,” said Shakur. “I thought you were bigger than this.”
“You know I’m not big,” said Garcia.
Terence Crawford was asked on the broadcast how he thought a fight between Stevenson and Garcia would go, and replied: “I think [Shakur] wipes the floor with him.”
