Ryan Garcia labels Shakur Stevenson ‘a bum’

Ryan Garcia may not be interested in fighting Shakur Stevenson anytime soon due to the latter’s defensive style in the ring.

California’s Garcia, 26, is serving a one-year suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drug ostarine following his April 20 decision win over Devin Haney. The unanimous decision win by Garcia was overturned by the New York Athletic Commission to a no-contest.

Despite not being allowed to fight until April 2025, Garcia doesn’t see Stevenson as a suitable dance partner when he returns.

“You don’t bring no money to the table so why would anyone want to see me fight you,” Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) told Say Cheese TV. “You are a bum. You are good, not great.”

Garcia’s only career defeat came against 135-pound superstar Gervonta “Tank” Davis in April last year when he lost a KO in seven. Eight months later, Garcia stopped Oscar Duarte Jurado in eight on his return. 

Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) recently signed a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing and is billed to defend his WBC lightweight title against Joe Cordina in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Oct. 12. Stevenson decided against extending his contract with Top Rank despite reports stating he was offered $15 million for five fights.

Newark’s Stevenson could face William Zepeda next if he’s able to get past Cordina, a former IBF junior lightweight belt holder. According to promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, the plan is to get Stevenson to fight Tank in 2025 if he can beat both Cordina and Zepeda.

The three-division world champion has been heavily criticized for his defensive mentality in the ring – a style he continues to hold close to his chest. When asked why Stevenson’s fighting style irritates him, Garcia believes a boxer needs to be more than defensive to be great.

“You’re not like that. All your fights you run. You almost lost to Edwin. Tim Bradley sucking your dick every time he gets the chance. A great fighter can do offense and defense. Mayweather did offense and defense…you only do defense.”

Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].