“I don’t even want to do the rehydration clause,” Stevenson said during an appearance on the Nightcap podcast. “He went into an interview and said he would fight me at 140 pounds. We don’t know what he can do.”
Ryan previously said he could return to 140 if he fully committed to the weight cut, something Shakur repeatedly referenced when asked if that drop would be realistic.
“He said he’d fight at 140. I’m just going by his word,” Stevenson said. “If he says that, what should I do?”
The hosts noted that Ryan’s rehydrated weight was often reported around the high-160s or near 170 pounds. Cutting down to 140 again could leave him significantly depleted by fight night.
Shakur did not argue against that possibility. Instead, he continued to point back to Garcia’s own statements about being able to make the weight.
“We can’t accept that he can’t make 140,” Stevenson said. “He said he could as long as he included and took it seriously.”
Shakur added that a small catchweight could also be considered if the two sides move forward with negotiations.
“If he wants to fight at 140 or we can do a catchweight at 144 pounds,” Stevenson said of being willing to fight Ryan at a catchweight.
Garcia has struggled with the limit before. In his 2024 bout against Devin Haney, Ryan missed the light welterweight title by several pounds at the weigh-in, but the fight went ahead anyway.
This is why the weight discussion has become a big part of the exchange. While Shakur portrayed the absence of a rehydration clause as a concession, the hosts noted that the 140-pound requirement alone could create a difficult situation for Ryan if he tries to return to the division.
Shakur’s answer remained consistent throughout the conversation. Ryan has already said he can lift the weight, and Shakur said he’s willing to stand by that statement.
“He said he could do it,” Shakur said. “So we can fight against 140.”
