Shakur Stevenson and Ryan Garcia could be on a collision course after ‘King Ry’ became world champion on Saturday.
Garcia dropped Barrios on his way to a dominant unanimous decision victory to secure the WBC welterweight title at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Following the bout, Garcia made it clear that he wants to face Stevenson next, the newly crowned WBO super-lightweight champion who claimed his belt with a win over Teofimo Lopez last month.
Stevenson laid out his demands for the bout to take place whilst speaking on DAZN, insisting that it would have to take place at a 144lbs catchweight and that VADA testing would be required.
“Was VADA involved in this fight? I saw him with Rolly he didn’t look like that. If he’s fighting me next, I’m all for the challenge but VADA will be involved.
“We’ll meet in the middle [144lbs]. Two big stars, we don’t need a belt for the fight.
“I think it’s a great fight to make. I’m in this for big fights. Me and Ryan would be an even bigger fight and would be a tremendous fight. I want to fight him and he want to fight me so it should be easy to get done. We’ve just got to make sure he’s on VADA and there’s no cheating involved.”
Garcia failed a drugs test in 2024 after facing Devin Haney, resulting in his win being overturned to a no contest. He returned after a 12-month ban and suffered a loss to Rolly Romero, but looked like a completely different fighter against Barrios tonight in Las Vegas.
