David Benavidez has named the fighter whom he believes could hand pound-for-pound rival Shakur Stevenson a first career defeat.
Stevenson captured the WBO super-lightweight world title with a decisive points victory over Teofimo Lopez at the beginning of the year, but he has since been linked to fights against super-featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster, lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla and welterweight champion Devin Haney.
As a result, Stevenson’s future at super-lightweight remains uncertain, with fans eager for the 27-year-old to move up to welterweight and attempt to become a four division champion by taking on Haney – although, the WBO has other ideas.
Speaking to Luis Parra, Benavidez instead suggested an alternate 147lb ruler, admitting his interest in a fight between Stevenson and WBC titlist Ryan Garcia.
“Another fight I really want to see is Ryan Garcia against Shakur… I don’t like what Shakur is saying: ‘I won’t fight him at 147, but I’ll fight him at 144’ – three pounds, what’s the difference?
“There’s no difference there. That’s nothing. You drink some water and gain two pounds.”
“I think that, if Shakur is ready to fight too, then he should fight him. It’s a huge fight, a fight that will sell a lot of pay-per-views.”
In terms of a prediction, Benavidez then went on to state that he believes ‘King Ry’ would put an end to Stevenson’s unbeaten streak.
“I think so [Ryan can win]. Ryan beats him.
It won’t be easy because Shakur uses his feet very well and has very good defence too. It’s going to be a difficult fight, but it could be a very good fight.”
Garcia is currently being linked to a defence of his title against WBC mandatory challenger Conor Benn, but legalities may cause that proposed event to collapse.
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