Ryan Garcia, Shakur Stevenson, and Shakur Stevenson went back and forth on Instagram Live today. The live discussion mainly involved Keyshawn and Shakur pressuring Ryan for a fight, sounding like they needed a handout from the popular superstar.
Ryan said he would fight Shakur at 144, but it’s unlikely that he was serious. He recently offered to fight Vergil Ortiz, Jaron Ennis, and Sebastian Fundora, but it’s nonsense.
With all Ryan’s options, Keyshawn and Shakur would be the last on his list because those fights wouldn’t sell.
Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs), banned until April 2025, tentatively agreed to fight Stevenson at 144 lbs once he’s cleared to fight. Keyshawn also wants to move from 135 to face Ryan at 144.
It’s not surprising that Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) and Keyshawn are desperate for a fight against Ryan Garcia because neither has ever competed on PPV.
Ryan would be the magic payday for both of these lightweights. He would be doing Keyshawn and Shakur a huge favor by agreeing to fight them because neither will likely ever make the jump to PPV stardom. It takes a special talent to be on PPV, which Shakur and Keyshawn lack.
When he returns to the ring in the first quarter of 2025, Ryan will have many options available, but he has to choose wisely. The obvious options for Ryan are these two:
- Gervonta Davis
- Devin Haney
If Haney loses to someone before Ryan’s suspension ends, he’ll likely be scratched off the list for his next fight. That’s why Haney must play it safe if he does take a stay-busy fight while he waits for Ryan’s ban to end in April.
Keyshawn has been trying to persuade WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez to fight him, but with no luck. The way Keyshawn has pressured Teofimo is similar to how David Benavidez has been hounding Canelo Alvarez. At some point, it comes across as obsessive and wretched.
Shakur Stevenson: “Are you going to fight me?” said Shakur on Instagram.
Ryan Garcia: “I will drop you.”
Shakur: “Fight me at 140.”
Ryan: “I’ll fight you at 144. I’ll do it.”
Shakur: “144?”
Keyshawn Davis: “I’ll fight you at 144.”
Shakur: “I’m with it.”
Ryan: “I’m banned in boxing.”
Shakur: “Why did they ban you? You were cheating, bro.”
Ryan Garcia: “You know I did not cheat. Honestly, I think you’re cool.”
Shakur: “I think you’re cool, too, bro. I still got to whip you a** though, boy.”
Ryan: “You can try, though.”
Shakur: “I’m going to f*** you up. I’m going to touch your body, and you don’t like body shots.”
Ryan: “I’m going to shadow box you.”
Shakur: “You know you’re going to be fighting a ghost.”
Read the full article here
