Ryan Garcia might throw a wrench in the works for the Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez fight. The controversial boxer has started taunting Stevenson on social media and in interviews, potentially disrupting ongoing negotiations.
Stevenson recently beat William Zepeda, but Garcia wasn't impressed. In an interview with Cigar Talk, he claimed he and Rolando Romero would have no trouble handling Stevenson. This didn't sit well with the champion.
The two boxers took their beef to X, where Stevenson questioned Garcia's record and made fun of his recent loss to Romero. The tension between them was clear during a video call where Garcia offered Stevenson a fight and even proposed a bet on the outcome.
While all this drama unfolds, negotiations for a Stevenson vs Lopez fight were moving forward. Saudi boxing mastermind Turki Alalshikh has been working on making this champion vs champion bout happen. But there's a catch – Lopez has a history of backing out of fights, like he did with Devin Haney.
Stevenson's team knows this and they're being careful. They don't want to put all their eggs in one basket. That's where Garcia comes in. If Lopez does back out, a fight with Garcia could be a great backup plan. It would guarantee an exciting show and a big payday for both fighters.
"I'll fight you right now," Garcia told Stevenson during their heated video call. "Let's bet on it. I'll put up whatever you want."
This situation leaves fans wondering which fight they'll actually get to see. There are only so many spots in the ring, and now there are multiple fight options on the table. A Garcia vs Stevenson matchup would certainly bring in the crowds and the cash.
The boxing world is buzzing with all these potential matchups. Fans are eager to see champions face off, and the fighters are eyeing those big purses. It's anyone's guess how this will all shake out, but one thing's for sure – the sport is as unpredictable and exciting as ever.
