Ryan Garcia is currently sidelined after testing positive for a banned substance, but it hasn’t stopped him critiquing the sport’s top stars.
It has been a whirlwind year for the 26-year-old, who came in heavy for his super-lightweight world title shot against champion Devin Haney but struck a deal to let the fight go ahead as planned, even if he was ineligible to win the belt.
He would upset the odds, dropping Haney three times on the way to a unanimous decision. It was short-lived, however, with news of his failed doping tests soon coming out and the New York State Athletic Commission overturning the result to a no contest and banning him for one year.
There’s no question that Garcia will return to a big fight and there are plenty of names in and around his weight class who may fill the opposite corner. One such rival is Shakur Stevenson, perhaps the most defensively sound fighter boxing today.
The Newark native has made a name for himself through skill but has been criticised in the past for not entertaining fans. He currently holds the WBC Lightweight World Title.
Speaking on the Say Cheese channel, Garcia talked down Stevenson’s skillset and completely dismissed any comparison to the great Floyd Mayweather.
“You don’t bring no money to the table so why would anyone want to [fight] you? You’re not like that. All your fights you run. You almost lost to Edwin. Tim Bradley [is] sucking your d*ck everytime he gets the chance. You are a bum. You are good, not great. Great can do offence and defence. Mayweather did offence and defence… you only do defence.”
Mayweather often went through bouts untouched by opponents – that’s where the Stevenson comparisons come. No fighter in the sport can currently boast the same appeal as the 47-year-old, who was far and away the number one pay-per-view attraction in his day.
Many believe Stevenson has to up the gears should he want to reach anywhere near that level. Unfortunately, his next opportunity to do so has been cancelled. The Newark native recently injured his hand in a sparring session and saw his title defence against Joe Cordina on October 12 called off as a result.
