Ryan Garcia hasn’t retreated into the shadows, but he’s been relatively quiet over the last few weeks after what was a whirlwind of drama leading up to the Devin Haney fight. The aftermath was turbulent, too, as Garcia dealt with being handed a suspension and seeing his epic victory stripped away. Unable to fight for the time being, Garcia has resorted to sporadic attacks on specific boxing figures, as well as a legal battle against Haney.
While all that unfolds, we near the halfway mark of his suspension. Given how much time it takes for boxing fights with big names to materialize, it’s not too early to start thinking about who Garcia’s next opponent might be. Golden Boy Promotions partner Bernard Hopkins has an idea in mind: Garcia vs. Shakur Stevenson.
I’d like to see him fight Shakur. Because there’s no advantages. Shakur’s been sitting on a pond, fishing. Shakur hasn’t been active. By the time Ryan’s ready, that should be a healing time between now and then for Shakur. Out of the gate, no advantages as far as being active, both fighters.
Stevenson has already responded to Hopkins, and he’s down for a Garcia fight. But it would have to come some time after February, if he fights in that month like he mentions.
When does Ryan Garcia’s suspension end?
Garcia’s suspension was retroactively instated on the night of the Haney fight. It was for exactly one year, so that means he can step in a sanctioned boxing ring once again as soon as April 20, 2025.
That actually lines up perfectly for Stevenson, whose rehabilitation from hand surgery should be done with “at the start of 2025“, according to the boxer himself.. A fight between the two would be risky for several reasons, but even more so given the circumstances.
Garcia coming back from a lengthy suspension would mean he’d likely be rusty, as would Stevenson following surgery. But the bout might make too much sense for it not to happen. Boxing fans would certainly like to see it get done.
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