Ryan Garcia Names His Targets

Following his  loss to Rolando Romero, Ryan Garcia has laid out a “hit list” of four fighters he wants to face next.

The list includes Teofimo Lopez, Shakur Stevenson, and a rematch with Gervonta “Tank” Davis. Garcia suffered a unanimous decision loss to Romero for the vacant WBA welterweight title in May. Despite the defeat, Garcia has his sights set on facing fighters who would bring him the biggest purses. The list, which also includes a potential crossover fight with UFC superstar Sean O’Malley, is a clear indication that Garcia is prioritizing paydays.

Options

A rematch with Davis offers Garcia a chance at redemption. He could argue that he was not at his best in their first encounter and has learned from his mistakes. This may have been due to the 136-pound catchweight, ten-pound rehydration clause and the injury he suffered in camp. A victory over Davis would be a career-defining moment.

A fight with Lopez presents a test for a world title. Lopez is the WBO junior welterweight champion, and a win over him would not only give Garcia a world title but would also re-establish his credibility as a top-tier boxer. The rivalry between the two would be a massive draw for fans. Both fighters have a significant social media presence and a history of trash talk.

A potential showdown with Shakur Stevenson is the ultimate test. Stevenson is a defensive master and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. This clash of styles—Garcia’s speed and power against Stevenson’s defensive brilliance—would appeal to the hardcore boxing fanbase. A win over Stevenson would be a monumental achievement.

The biggest “money fight” on Garcia’s list is bout with Terence Crawford. Crawford made history by beating Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed at 168. The result also meant Crawford became a three-weight undisputed champion. However, Ryan has arguably not done enough to deserve that fight. Meanwhile, the weight difference would be significant since Crawford has said he will not come back down to 154. Either way, Ryan has plenty of options.