{"id":523804,"date":"2026-03-09T04:04:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T04:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/523804\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T04:04:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T04:04:14","slug":"world-champion-says-shakur-stevenson-is-scared-to-face-him-next-just-admit-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/523804\/","title":{"rendered":"World champion says Shakur Stevenson is scared to face him next: “Just admit it”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shakur Stevenson<\/a> has effectively been accused of ducking a current world champion, who claims the American is too \u201cscared\u201d to face him.<\/p>\n

There is scant evidence to suggest that Stevenson is partial to swerving elite opposition, especially after he moved up in weight to dethrone Teofimo Lopez in January<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But still, the 28-year-old has nonetheless been called out for his lack of interest in a potential shot at gaining five-division world champion status.<\/p>\n

Instead, Stevenson has expressed his desire to move back down to 135lbs, wishing to become a three-weight Ring Magazine champion against IBF titlist Raymond Muratalla<\/a>. This much was made clear during his latest interview with Joe Rogan<\/a>, where the pound-for-pound star stated that would be the ideal scenario for his next fight.<\/p>\n

It would therefore appear that Stevenson has lost interest in a showdown with Ryan Garcia, who he was previously open to facing at a catchweight of 144lbs.<\/p>\n

Since then, though, the newly-crowned WBC welterweight champion\u2019s father and trainer, Henry Garcia, has insisted that Stevenson must meet his son at 147lbs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Clearly feeling that such a weight jump is unnecessary, at least at this stage of his career, Stevenson has seemingly decided to focus on a return to lightweight.<\/p>\n

In response to this, Garcia has taken to social media in an attempt to goad his rival, or at least express his frustration that their showdown appears increasingly less likely.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust say you scared Shakur. The new [nickname] for you is [Shakur] shaking ass Stevenson.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just say you scared Shakur the new nick name for you is shakur shaking ass Stevenson<\/p>\n

\u2014 RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) March 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Garcia claimed his WBC title with a unanimous decision victory over Mario Barrios last month, before calling out Stevenson in his post-fight interview<\/a>.<\/p>\n