Shakur Stevenson has volunteered to replace Ryan Garcia as WBC light welterweight champion Devin Haney’s opponent for the April 20th card on DAZN PPV. Today’s audio of Ryan talking on X, makes it clear that he’s not sounding well, and he needs to be evaluated.
The unbeaten Stevenson posted on X, saying, “Sub me in Coach 🙋🏾♂️.. Prayers up Lil bra” to replace Ryan Garcia as Haney’s opponent on April 20th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Saving the Show
Credit to Shakur Stevenson for volunteering to step in and replace Ryan Garcia, as it’s an admirable thing to do to help save the April 20th event. Haney will need an opponent that will sell on short notice, and Shakur is ideal for the job.
It’s important that Golden Boy Promotions and Matchroom Boxing find a good enough replacement to save the DAZN PPV card, as it’s questionable whether Arnold Barboza Jr., the name that has previously been mentioned as a candidate to replace Ryan, would create enough interest from fans to keep the match on pay-per-view.
The three-division world champion Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) was trying to get a fight against Haney last year when he fighting at 135, and even came into the ring after Devin’s controversial victory over Vasily Lomachenko.
That was when Haney made a quick exit when Shakur entered the ring, making it clear that he did not want any part of fighting him.
The Ryan Garcia Situation
The audio below of Ryan Garcia raises alarms about his mental health. It’s not a good a good idea to have him competing against a world class fighter like Haney with him sounding like he’s having personal issues. For the DAZN subscribers, an opponent must be selected that is mentally fit to face a talent like Haney.
Shakur would be great or if Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis can melt down to 140, he would be even better, provided PBC gave him the green light.
Ryan is going through some life issues that don’t sound altogether cogent right now. It wouldn’t be fair to DAZN’s subscribers or Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) for this fight to go ahead with Ryan sounding well.
