{"id":536406,"date":"2026-04-17T18:29:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T18:29:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/536406\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T18:29:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T18:29:07","slug":"shakur-stevenson-responds-to-offer-to-face-world-champion-in-old-weight-class-perfect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/536406\/","title":{"rendered":"Shakur Stevenson responds to offer to face world champion in old weight class: “Perfect”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shakur Stevenson<\/a> has expressed an interest in moving back down to 135lbs, eager to collect two titles he never previously had the opportunity to claim.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old is lining up his next outing after comprehensively outpointing Teofimo Lopez<\/a>, who he dethroned to become a four-division world champion in January.<\/p>\n

Immediately after securing the WBO super-lightweight title, Stevenson called out Conor Benn, but has since set his sights on a potential move down in weight.<\/p>\n

This is seemingly because the likes of Benn, and indeed WBC world champion Ryan Garcia, are unlikely to face him at a catchweight of 144lbs.<\/p>\n

Instead, it appears as though the pair are set for a welterweight showdown in August, while Stevenson explores the possibility of facing Raymond Muratalla.<\/p>\n

The IBF lightweight champion comes off a majority decision victory over Andy Cruz, successfully defending his world and Ring Magazine titles in January.<\/p>\n

Since then, Stevenson has flirted with the idea of becoming a three-division Ring Magazine champion<\/a>, to which Muratalla\u2019s trainer and manager, Robert Garcia, has responded via social media.<\/p>\n

Taking to X, Garcia confirmed that discussions regarding Muratalla\u2019s next title defence are ongoing, but refused to rule out a potential encounter with Stevenson.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you listen to the full interview [with BoxingScene] I said Raymond will have one more fight at 135[lbs] and Top Rank is working on locking in a date and opponent. And we will be at 140[lbs] after.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if our next fight is [against] you we can do it [at] any weight. We don\u2019t have anything set yet so let\u2019s make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you listen to the full interview I said Raymond will have 1 more fight at 135 and Top Rank is working on locking in a date and opponent. And we will be at 140 after. But if our next fight is vs you we can do it any weight. We dont have anything set yet so lets make it happen https:\/\/t.co\/H1BHVs33GW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Robert Garcia Boxing (@GarciaBoxing) April 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In response, Stevenson said that such an outcome would be \u201cperfect\u201d, despite knowing he would need to adhere to the IBF\u2019s 10lb rehydration policy.<\/p>\n

This, therefore, represents unfamiliar territory for the American, whose previous campaign at 135lbs saw him reign supreme as the WBC champion.<\/p>\n