Shakur Stevenson is coming off arguably the best win of his career, and he already knows exactly who he wants next: an old amateur rival turned WBC champion.
Stevenson unanimously outpointed Teofimo Lopez in January to capture the WBO super-lightweight title, and has since signed with Zuffa Boxing without yet announcing his next fight. If he opts to defend his current belt, he could be ordered to face Raymond Muratalla, the WBO’s top-ranked contender at 140 pounds.
However, Stevenson’s real preference is a fight with Ryan Garcia, who just scored a second-round stoppage over Conor Benn to retain his WBC welterweight title.
The interest appears mutual as Garcia was vocal about wanting the Stevenson fight during his own post-fight interview after beating Mario Barrios for the title back in February.
Shakur Stevenson Speaks Out
Stevenson has confirmed he’d love to make the fight happen, pointing to history between the two that goes back to a 2013 amateur bout he won when they were both just 15, something he says Garcia still hasn’t let go of, calling it “unfinished business” between two of the best in the sport.
I would love to fight him. Me and him have unfinished business. We fought in the amateurs at 15 years old and he still cries about it to this day. It’s an amazing matchup; I’m one of the best in the sport and he’s one of the best in the sport.
Any matchup would likely require Garcia to come down to a 144-pound catchweight, despite spending his last three fights campaigning at welterweight.
Nothing is official yet, but with both men clearly interested and each fresh off a big win, the pieces for a genuine 140-pound superfight appear to be falling into place.
