Benavidez dismisses weight concerns and says timing is right for Stevenson to take major fight
David Benavidez has urged Shakur Stevenson to take a fight with Ryan Garcia, dismissing concerns over weight differences. He says the timing is right for a fight of that level.
Benavidez said Shakur is already moving up and shouldn’t be focused on a few pounds. “If you’re already making the move up to 144, three extra pounds. You could drink a bottle of water, you’d be up three pounds,” Benavidez said to Fighthype, brushing off the idea that the jump to 147 should come with conditions.
Shakur has been pushing for a rehydration clause if the fight moves to 147 for his WBC welterweight title, trying to limit how much Ryan Garcia can gain after the weigh-in. That stance has drawn criticism from fans, who see it as asking for a safety net in a fight he’s publicly confident about, especially given how often Stevenson has described himself as the best in the sport.
Benavidez didn’t view it as a personal issue. He called Stevenson “a hell of a fighter” and “one of the best fighters today,” but kept bringing the conversation back to timing and expectation. “These are the fights that Shakur needs to solidify his career,” he said.
He also pointed to what comes with that level of fight. A win over Ryan would not only bring a major payday but also raise Shakur’s standing in a way that routine title defenses cannot. Those are the nights that separate champions from fighters who are talked about at a different level.
Benavidez described the matchup as even, removing any idea that one side is being thrown into a mismatch. “It’s a 50-50 fight,” he said. “I’m not going to say Ryan Garcia goes and knocks Shakur out. I’m not saying Shakur is going to knock Ryan Garcia out.”
The emphasis stayed on timing. Stevenson is in his prime years at 28, and this is when the risks are supposed to be taken rather than managed. “He’s in the prime of his career. These are the best times when you should take these fights,” Benavidez said.
Benavidez sees the Ryan fight sitting there for Shakur and treats it like a fight that should already be happening.
