Benavidez On Garcia vs. Stevenson – ‘It Is A 50/50 Fight’

March 28, 2026

3 minutes

Benavidez On Garcia vs. Stevenson - 'It Is A 50/50 Fight'

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Two-division champion David Benavidez shared his enthusiasm for a potential clash between Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson, calling it a “legacy-defining” opportunity for both men.

Immediately after dethroning Barrios in February for the WBC Welterweight Title, Ryan Garcia set his sights on Stevenson, even offering to drop back down to 140 lbs to snatch Shakur’s WBO belt. However, since then, Garcia has said he wants the fight at 147 without any rehydration clause.

Benavidez On Garcia vs. Stevenson - 'It Is A 50/50 Fight' 1

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Shakur recently “clapped back” at Benavidez for pressuring him to move up to 147 lbs, challenging Benavidez to move up yet another weight class to face Oleksandr Usyk if he’s so keen on “testing himself.” Benavidez, who is currently preparing for his own jump to cruiserweight to face Gilberto Ramirez on May 2, urged Shakur to take the fight at 147.

“It is not an easy fight, it is a 50/50 fight. I’m not going to say that Ryan Garcia is going to knock Shakur out and I am not saying that Shakur is going to go and knock Ryan Garcia out – it is a 50/50 fight and that is what we want to see. Everybody moves at their own pace. I think that Shakur has done a hell of a job, he is a great fighter, he is definitely going to be a legend and I just think that you should try and make the legend as big as you can, while you can,” Benavidez said

Benavidez On Garcia vs. Stevenson - 'It Is A 50/50 Fight' 2

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Shakur has also been singled due to his close mentor Terence Crawford’s recent success. Bud moved up from 154 to beat Canelo Alvarez at 168 to become undisputed without any rehydration clause or catchweight. Garcia has already boxed under weight stipulations, having done so against Tank Davis.

Ryan agreed to a 136-pound catchweight with a ten-pound rehydration clause that ultimately impacted him. Having already done that, Ryan is under no pressure to do so again. He can choose to box other big names like Devin Haney or Teofimo Lopez, putting the pressure on Shakur to make a choice. Stevenson has said he will move up in his own pace.