Shakur Stevenson faced criticism for his lackluster performance against Edwin De Los Santos at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Fans expressed their disappointment, with many leaving early due to Stevenson’s overly cautious approach. Ryan Garcia, known for his explosive style, publicly criticized Stevenson for not providing an entertaining fight for the audience.
Stevenson, while initially dismissive, later revealed that he was dealing with a hand injury and illness during the fight. However, Garcia remained unsympathetic, pointing out Stevenson's consistently safety-first strategy. In response to the criticism, Stevenson has expressed a strong desire to fight Garcia next, promising a more aggressive approach.
Stevenson, affiliated with Bob Arum’s Top Rank, and Garcia, under Golden Boy Promotions, face promotional and logistical challenges in making the fight happen. Additionally, they currently fight in different weight classes, adding another potential obstacle. Despite these issues, Stevenson has shown willingness to compromise on the weight, suggesting a catchweight bout or inviting Garcia to move to his weight class for a chance at a world title.
This potential matchup between Stevenson and Garcia generates interest due to the contrast in their fighting styles and the current narrative surrounding Stevenson’s performance. The possibility of this fight hinges on overcoming the promotional barriers and agreeing on a suitable weight class.
Image Credit: Top Rank