The disagreement stemmed from a social media exchange after Stevenson accused Garcia of being a “weight bully.” Stevenson argued that any fight at 147 pounds should include a rehydration clause that limits how much Ryan can weigh on fight night.
Shakur suggested that Garcia could otherwise enter the ring at a weight in the high 160s or even around 170 pounds if no restriction existed.
Ryan immediately rejected the idea and said he would not agree to this condition.
“I will never be on a rehydration clause again, and I don’t need 20-30 pounds to beat you,” Garcia wrote on X. “I’ll knock you straight up.”
Ryan rerouted his position after his 2023 fight with Gervonta Davis, which included weight stipulations that limited how much he could weigh in on fight night. Garcia later said the restriction affected him and believed it played a role in the loss.
The experience is one of the reasons why he does not agree to similar contract terms in future negotiations.
The issue also came up in Ryan’s recent posts. In February, he indicated that any talks about fighting Shakur depended on avoiding those restrictions.
“As long as there is no rehydration clause, things will move forward,” Garcia wrote.
Rehydration clauses sometimes appear in boxing contracts to limit how much weight a fighter can lift between the official weigh-in and fight night. Supporters say the rule prevents a fighter from entering the ring much heavier than the contracted division. Critics argue the restriction can leave next-day fighters drained.
The condition has featured in several high-profile fights in recent years, particularly when opponents from different weight classes agree to meet at a catchweight.
For now, Ryan’s refusal leaves the proposed deal contingent on whether Stevenson is willing to drop the claim.
Without that change, the disagreement over contract terms could block serious negotiations between the two fighters despite the ongoing public back-and-forth.
