Shakur Stevenson won the WBC Lightweight World Title recently against Edwin De Los Santos – his third division doing so – but the performance has been branded as dull and well below-par.
Perhaps because it was a world title fight, or maybe because Stevenson is tipped to have an argument as the best in the world in a few years time, the backlash has been plentiful.
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Garcia said Stevenson had been ‘arrogant’ for as long as he has known him, and said he was ‘scared’ in the fight with De Los Santos.
“He does talk really arrogant s**t. And he is like that in person. Ever since the amateurs he’s walking around like his s**t don’t stink, and it pisses me off.”
“He didn’t fight good at all. He was scared. It’s so biased – that commentary is disgusting. If Shakur doesn’t throw a lot of punches, he’s controlling the fight. If somebody else doesn’t throw a lot of punches, he’s reluctant.”
It didn’t take long for Stevenson to fire back, casting up Garcia’s lost to Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis when he appeared to have his wits about him but didn’t stand to make the ten count.
“N***a I wasn’t being arrogant I don’t [f**k with] you clown ass n***as … My bad nights I win on your bad nights you lay down from a body shot and get up after the 10 count.”
Garcia said that, despite the loss, the ‘Tank’ fight was record-breaking in the right ways, whereas Shakur’s was not.
“We broke records and made life changing money, you broke a record of the least punches ever landed in a twelve round fight and made not even 10% of what we made. Quiet your mouth kid.”
We broke records and made life changing money, you broke a record of the least punches ever landed in a twelve round fight and made not even 10% of what we made. Quiet your mouth kid. https://t.co/5zkOSjSC53
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) November 20, 2023
Shakur responded saying Garcia would never be able to emulate his achievements in the sport.
“Won my 3rd world title in a different weight class my guy. Let’s speak facts you have never won a real World title throughout your whole career, congrats on the money you made but you can’t tie my shoes when we talking boxing – And that money don’t last forever do something smart with it cuz.”
A fight between the two seems the natural progression from here – especially after a notable amateur bout in January of 2013, a Stevenson win in the US Junior National Selection Tournament Semi-Final – but one weight class separates them.
Garcia is set to kick off a full campaign up at 140, whilst Stevenson is likely to now look to unify the belts at 135.