Promoter Bernard Hopkins desires to see Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson battle at a catchweight within the first half of 2025. Hopkins likes the concept of Ryan (24-1, 20 KOs) and Shakur assembly at a catchweight between 135 and 143.

Garcia’s one-year suspension expires in April, and he’ll be in search of an opponent to battle on PPV when he returns. Devin Haney is now not an choice resulting from his lawsuit. So, Ryan will want somebody that the boxing world would need to see him battle. Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) may very well be an choice if they might agree on an acceptable catchweight.

Shakur lacks the recognition to maneuver Ryan to drop beneath 140 to satisfy him at a catchweight of 137.5 lbs. There’s an amazing imbalance by way of reputation between the 2 fighters. Though Shakur is a world champion and captured three division world titles, he’s nowhere close to as in style as Ryan.

Realistically the one approach a battle between Ryan and Shakur might occur is that if it’s 143. Ryan is simply too huge to empty all the way down to 140, and if he agreed to it, there’s a very good probability he’d are available in chubby.

“The burden that he left at,” mentioned Bernard Hopkins to the media when requested what weight Ryan Garcia will battle when he returns to the ring from his one-year suspension. “143, 147. It will depend upon the fighter and who they’ve bought.

“Sure,” mentioned Hopkins about it being a catchweight. “I can inform you who I believe he [Ryan] ought to battle when the time comes. Do you need to know? I believed y’all had been going to ask me, but it surely looks as if we ain’t going to get there.

“Shakur. I’d prefer to see him battle Shakur,” mentioned Hopkins about wanting Ryan Garcia to battle Shakur Stevenson when he comes off his suspension in April 2025. “There are not any benefits. Shakur has been sitting on a pond and fishing, proper?

“Shakur hasn’t been lively, appropriate? By the point Ryan is prepared, that ought to be, and I don’t know for certain. I may very well be incorrect. That ought to be a therapeutic time between from time to time for Shakur, appropriate?  So long as he stays wholesome. Out of the gate, not benefits. Would you agree? No benefits so far as being lively for each fighters.

“Meet within the center,” mentioned Hopkins when instructed that it will be a giant step up for Shakur to return up from 135 to face Ryan Garcia between 143 and 147. “We’re in a special period proper now. Nobody talks about weight proper now. You’re speaking about Bud Crawford desires to battle Canelo Alvarez.”