Ryan Garcia Wins WBC Belt, Demands Stevenson Fight

Garcia drops Mario Barrios and shifts focus to potential welterweight showdown

Ryan Garcia didn’t let the moment pass after winning the WBC welterweight title. He used it to point directly at Shakur Stevenson.

Minutes after a wide unanimous decision over Mario Barrios, Garcia made it clear who he wants next. As he spoke, DAZN cut to a split-screen of Stevenson smiling from his seat in the arena, adding a visible reaction to the callout and giving the exchange a live, unscripted feel.

“You know who I want. He’s right there. Shakur Stevenson. Let’s go. Let’s run that,” Garcia said.

Earlier in the broadcast, Stevenson had said he was “levels above” Garcia. The new champion answered that directly rather than brushing it aside.

“You’ve got to get some kind of punching power to keep me off you,” Garcia said. “It’ll be a different style and I’m not going to hit him light. I want that fight.”

Garcia secured the belt by dropping Barrios with a right hand in the opening round and then controlling distance for most of the 12 rounds. He boxed patiently, relied on his jab and straight right, and avoided extended exchanges. While the fight lacked sustained drama after the early knockdown, it delivered Garcia his first full world title at welterweight and strengthened his position in the division.

Instead of discussing optional defenses or easing into his reign, Garcia shifted the spotlight toward Stevenson. The stylistic contrast is obvious. Stevenson is known for defensive awareness, timing and precision, while Garcia continues to frame himself as the fighter who brings the heavier punch and forces exchanges.

By stressing punching power in his response, Garcia signalled how he sees that fight playing out. He pushed it toward a physical contest, heavy shots and exchanges, rather than a chess match built purely on footwork and range control.

No talks have been confirmed and no dates were floated. Even so, the split-screen moment tied the names together instantly and fed the fight into the wider conversation.

Garcia now holds a welterweight belt. Stevenson is the name he wants next to it.