Shakur Stevenson, the undefeated WBO and Ring junior welterweight champion, has publicly accepted Ryan Garcia’s push for a 140-pound title fight without a rehydration clause, removing the most contentious term from negotiations that accelerated after Garcia’s unanimous decision win over Mario Barrios on February 21.
Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) initially proposed a 144-pound catchweight to accommodate Garcia’s recent move to welterweight, telling reporters after the Barrios fight, “We’re gonna meet in the middle. Two big stars, big fight; we don’t need a belt for the fight.”
Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) rejected the catchweight idea within days. “Forget the catchweight shit. Let’s do it for real. I want to take your belt and snatch it right off you,” Garcia wrote on X, directed at Stevenson.
The newly crowned WBC welterweight champion then laid out his conditions in a longer post: “As long as there’s no rehydration clause things will be going forward. Testing is always included, I’ve never shy’d away from that.”
Stevenson’s response was immediate. “140 Let’s do it chump,” he wrote on X.
Why the Clause Matters
Garcia’s insistence on no rehydration restriction traces back to his 2023 loss to Gervonta Davis, where a clause in the contract capped his fight-night weight at 146 pounds. That restriction became part of the public post-fight fallout and shaped how Garcia’s camp approaches future contracts. Henry Garcia, Ryan’s father and trainer, said before the Barrios fight that his son would prefer returning to 140 over pursuing a welterweight rematch with Devin Haney.
With both sides now aligned on weight and the rehydration issue, the fight appears closer to reality than at any point since Garcia first called out Stevenson from the ring at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
VADA Testing Still on the Table
One visible condition remains. Stevenson has demanded VADA testing for the bout, publicly questioning Garcia’s physical appearance against Barrios compared to his loss to Rolando Romero.
“Was VADA involved in this fight? Because I seen against Rolly and he didn’t look like that,” Stevenson said. “If he’s fighting me next, I’m all for the challenge but VADA will be involved.”
Garcia said he has no issue with testing but took aim at the implication. “For Shakur to assume I’m on steroids, that is defamation. So I would advise you to refrain yourself,” he wrote. “I know you are deep down scared and you should have fear. I’m coming for you.”
Garcia’s Weight History Raises Questions
The question is whether Garcia can make 140 pounds cleanly. In April 2024, he missed weight by 3.25 pounds for his fight against Devin Haney, coming in at 143.25 on the scales. At the time, Garcia said his body could not safely go lower than 143.
He has since framed the Stevenson fight as part of a longer plan. “I will tell you this, it was my plan to be able to also win at 140,” Garcia wrote.
Garcia’s ability to do so will be tested by his recent weight history; he has campaigned at 147 in his most recent outing and would need to shed meaningful weight to challenge for Stevenson’s belt, all while refusing the rehydration clause that would otherwise force both fighters to stay within range of the limit on fight night.
The WBC Mandatory Complication
Even with terms apparently settled between the fighters, boxing’s sanctioning landscape could intervene. The WBC has named Conor Benn as the No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger for Garcia’s welterweight title. If the organization enforces that obligation, Garcia would face a decision about vacating or defending before dropping back to 140.
Crawford Favors Stevenson
Undisputed champion Terence Crawford offered a critical assessment of the potential matchup during DAZN’s broadcast of Garcia-Barrios.
“I think [Shakur] wipes the floor with him,” Crawford said. “I don’t think Ryan’s gonna be able to hit Shakur like Barrios. Barrios was right there to be hit. Barrios was too slow.”
Stevenson, who captured the WBO 140-pound title from Teofimo Lopez, has said publicly he views Gary Antuanne Russell as his biggest competitive threat at junior welterweight but prefers Garcia commercially. “Blacks and Mexicans sell the most when it comes down to selling [tickets]. So, I would say Ryan first,” Stevenson said.
No date, venue, or broadcast partner has been announced. The weight and rehydration terms appear settled. Whether Garcia can deliver on making 140, and whether the WBC forces his hand at welterweight first, will determine how quickly this fight moves from a social media agreement to a signed contract.
