Ryan Garcia has dropped a bombshell: he believes there's one world champion out there who poses a serious threat to Shakur Stevenson's dominance, even more so than Teofimo Lopez! But here's where it gets controversial... Garcia isn't talking about someone in Stevenson's current weight class.
Before we dive into Garcia's pick, let's quickly recap. Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion, is set to face WBO super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez on January 31st at Madison Square Garden. This is a huge fight, with Stevenson aiming to become a four-division world champion. He’s coming off a decisive victory against William Zepeda, where he showcased his skills and retained his lightweight title.
Many boxing analysts consider Lopez to be Stevenson’s most dangerous opponent yet. Lopez, known for his unpredictable style, achieved a career-defining win against Vasyl Lomachenko back in 2020. He’s always been a physically imposing force at 135lbs. Stevenson himself has hinted that 140lbs might be his upper limit, the highest weight class where he wouldn't face a significant size disadvantage. And this is the part most people miss... it illustrates the importance of size and reach in the higher weight classes.
So, who does Ryan Garcia think is Stevenson's 'toughest matchup'? It's none other than WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney, Garcia's former opponent! Haney, who recently secured his third-division world title with a convincing win over Brian Norman Jr. in November, presents a unique set of challenges.
During a discussion with Ring Magazine, Garcia explained to Stevenson that Haney's style and physical attributes would cause him more problems than Lopez. "I don’t know if Shakur would lose to him, but I’d say the toughest matchup would be [against] Devin Haney," Garcia stated. "He’s long, he doesn’t like to engage, [and] he’s big. I think you’d figure him out but I think that, stylistically, that’s the toughest matchup for Shakur."
Garcia's reasoning is clear: Haney's height, reach, and preference for fighting at a distance could neutralize Stevenson's strengths. It's a fascinating point, considering the natural size difference between the two fighters. Stevenson campaigning at 147lbs and facing Haney would be a courageous, some might even say reckless, move.
But let's be real, is Ryan Garcia right? Could Devin Haney's size and style really give Shakur Stevenson more trouble than Teofimo Lopez? Or is Garcia simply stirring the pot? What do you think? Is size always the deciding factor in boxing, or can skill and strategy overcome a physical disadvantage? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
