Stevenson proposes 144-pound limit with VADA testing
Ryan Garcia rejected a proposed 144-pound catchweight and said he wants a full championship fight with Shakur Stevenson. The weight dispute has become the first obstacle in negotiations.
“Forget the catchweight shit,” Garcia wrote on social media. “Let’s do it for real I want to take your belt and snatch it right off you.”
Garcia’s statement follows a strong performance against Barrios, where he boxed with discipline at 147 pounds. That win repositioned him in the championship conversation and restored momentum after the overturned result against Devin Haney.
Stevenson has expressed interest in the matchup, but with conditions.
“I think it’s a great fight to make,” Stevenson told DAZN. “I’m in this for big fights. Me and Ryan would be an even bigger fight and would be a tremendous fight. I want to fight him and he wants to fight me so it should be easy to get done. We’ve just got to make sure he’s on VADA and there’s no cheating involved.”
Stevenson has proposed a 144-pound limit and mandatory VADA testing. The testing demand follows Garcia’s prior positive test for a banned substance, which led to the Haney result being overturned. Stevenson’s stance reflects standard caution in high-level bouts with title implications.
The weight issue is central. Garcia has campaigned at welterweight, while Stevenson operates at junior welterweight. A catchweight would sit between divisions, limiting rehydration advantages and affecting preparation on both sides. Garcia’s position suggests he wants the fight contested at full championship terms rather than a negotiated midpoint.
If a belt is involved, sanctioning alignment becomes relevant. Moving a title across divisions or staging it at a contracted weight requires approval and could alter mandatory timelines.
For now, both fighters say they want the fight. Stevenson demands testing and 144 pounds. Garcia wants the belt at stake without compromise. The next move depends on whether either side adjusts its position.