Garcia recently captured the WBC welterweight title by besting Mario Barrios and now has his sights set on Shakur Stevenson. The undefeated 28-year-old WBO super lightweight champion faces an offer that comes with fiery words from Garcia. In an announcement to TMZ Sports, Ryan Garcia declared,
"Forget the catchweight. Let's do it for real. I want to take your belt and rip it away from you."
With weight concerns looming, both fighters have ideas about how they should proceed. Stevenson proposed they meet at 144 pounds with stringent VADA testing following Garcia's 2024 positive test for Ostarine. However, Ryan stands firm and insists,
"To those worried about 140 pounds, I'll say this: it was also in my plans to win at 140. As long as there's no rehydration clause, everything will move forward."
His boldness isn't limited to negotiations. Responding sharply to Stevenson's insinuations regarding banned substance use, Garcia left nothing unclear by stating:
"I'd advise him to hold back. I know deep down he's afraid, and he should be. I'm coming for you. Fear the Lord."
This intense back-and-forth adds another layer of tension in a larger wave of insecurity not just affecting Garcia but others like Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto within Los Angeles' sports scene.