Garcia eyes Lopez bout while weighing options on Haney, Davis and Stevenson
After a second-round knockout of Conor Benn, Ryan Garcia said he wants a unification fight with Teofimo Lopez and discussed potential matchups with Devin Haney, Gervonta "Tank" Davis and Shakur Stevenson.
Ryan Garcia, the 28-year-old WBC welterweight champion, secured a second-round knockout of Conor Benn at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, putting him in a position to pursue high-profile fights in the division. Garcia said he is targeting a unification bout with WBA champion Teofimo Lopez and also expressed interest in rematches with Devin Haney and Gervonta "Tank" Davis, while keeping an eye on a possible clash with Shakur Stevenson.
"I think he's weak in his defense. I think that people kind of overrate his defense. I think that he's much easier to hit than people think he is. And I think that I will knock him out," Garcia said of Lopez in a post-fight interview.
Lopez, who moved up to welterweight last month and captured the WBA title, is the only member of the so-called "New Four Kings" Garcia has not yet faced. Garcia added that arranging a fight with Lopez should be straightforward because of his DAZN affiliation.
Garcia also addressed a potential rematch with Devin Haney, noting that personal circumstances for Haney's camp could affect timing. He suggested that a fight with Haney might follow a Lopez bout, but did not set a specific timeline.
Regarding Gervonta "Tank" Davis, who handed Garcia his first professional loss in 2023, Garcia said Davis needs to return to the ring and that any rematch would have to be on Garcia's terms, including weight conditions.
"First of all, Tank would have to accept a fight on our conditions. He would need to come to us because we're not going to be giving away any [weight] advantages anymore," said Henry Garcia, Ryan's father and trainer.
Garcia also mentioned interest in fighting Shakur Stevenson, who has moved up through multiple weight classes. He urged Stevenson to gain weight and said he is ready to face any opponent who meets the 147-pound limit.
"I'm always here to accept it. They’re going to have to make their moves, come to 147 pounds, and let's get it on, give the fans what they want," Garcia said.
The champion’s statements set the stage for several possible matchups as the welterweight division looks toward a series of unification and high-stakes fights.