Shakur Stevenson chasing Ryan Garcia payday before it disappears

Shakur Stevenson is already pushing hard for a money fight against Ryan Garcia, and he’s not even waiting to see if Garcia can get past WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on Saturday night in Las Vegas. He’s acting like Garcia winning is already expected, which tells you where his focus is.

Last month, Stevenson beat Teofimo Lopez on January 31, and while that win made him a four-division world champion, it didn’t suddenly turn him into a crossover attraction. He controlled Lopez with jabs and distance, but it wasn’t the kind of performance that created demand for his next fight. He got the victory, but fans weren’t impressed with how he did it.

Garcia changes that situation. He brings attention and money even when he loses, and Stevenson understands that beating another technical opponent at 140 won’t change his standing with fans. Garcia offers something different, and Stevenson knows it.

“I love when the tables turn. Set it up, though, so I can show you why I’m different,” Stevenson said to Ring Magazine.

Stevenson has been active this week, agreeing to Garcia’s 144-pound catchweight because he knows that’s where the money is, but he’s also adding VADA testing as a condition while making it clear he wants the fight next. He also said he’ll be ringside at T-Mobile Arena to confront whoever wins, making sure his presence is part of the moment.

He’s adding VADA testing to protect himself, just like he’s demanding a rehydration clause for Conor Benn. Stevenson is putting handicaps in place before the fight even happens, and it makes him look so weak.

Stevenson clearly smells green, and he’s not even waiting around to see how the fight goes. He’s already trying to line himself up for Garcia because he knows that’s where the money is.

Earlier today, Stevenson went on The Stephen A. Smith Show and dismissed Garcia’s abilities, calling him “food” and saying his left hook can be neutralized. He has made it clear he believes Garcia is an easy fight for him.

“He knows when he’s in the ring with me, it ain’t going to be like what he does to these other guys,” Garcia said.

Stevenson has already agreed to Garcia’s 144-pound catchweight because he knows that’s where the money is, but he’s also adding VADA testing, just like he’s demanding a rehydration clause for Conor Benn. He’s putting handicaps in place before the fight even happens, and it makes him look so weak.

Shakur is acting really needy right now, and you can tell he doesn’t trust Garcia to keep winning. He’s got to know his marketability could disappear quickly if Garcia takes another loss. He’s not even waiting around. He wants the money fight now.