Boxing
Lamont Roach still has the belt at 135, not Shakur
Before Roach’s second straight draw, the matchup was on a likely competitive line. Both fighters operated at lightweight, both relied heavily on defensive control, and neither had the kind of momentum that forced a different conversation. This common position allowed the fight to be presented as a technical measure rather than a concession by either side.
That line was closed when Stevenson defeated Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO 140-pound title. A fighter who has just won a belt in a higher division will not benefit from stepping back and starting a stylish, hard-fought fight that offers no commercial benefits. For Stevenson, fighting Roach now means risk without reward and a return to the type of competition he has sought to surpass rather than repeat.
Roach’s insistence remained perceptible on social media and was portrayed as a sign of respect rather than outrage. His exchange with Stevenson earlier this week was amiable, even respectful. Stevenson responded warmly, praising Roach for staying real and expressing confidence that the fight could happen.
“Yes sir, brother… Respect for not moving around like a fool looking for strength,” Stevenson wrote. “We definitely made it happen.”
Roach responded by calling it the best fight at 135 pounds and congratulating Stevenson’s skills. The tone suggested mutual respect, not tension. Public good will, however, does not create leverage or dictate division moves.
The problem is structural, not personal. Roach enters this stage without a win in his last two fights, but neither draw has significantly lowered his standing in the lightweight division, especially considering how the first one was received, with the championship-level move creating openings rather than clarity. Stevenson enters as a newly crowned major league champion with more options and more leverage. These realities pull in opposite directions.
A defensive, frail fight against Roach doesn’t aid Stevenson’s standing at 140 pounds. It doesn’t open recent doors. It doesn’t broaden his profile. He’s simply returning to the senior debates about security-first styles that he tried to abandon.
Roach’s persistence is understandable. At this level, opportunities are dwindling quickly, and large names seem safer than waiting for the division to turn around. But the longer Stevenson stays above lightweight, the harder it becomes to justify a fight that can now be read as a step back rather than a challenge forward.
Public respect remains true. In the lightweight division, the opportunities have not disappeared. Stevenson just doesn’t represent it anymore.
My plan in Tokyo is to do some training with Inoue. That would be great!!!!! And stream it
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) June 5, 2026
The proposed sessions would bring together two world champions from different weight categories. Ryan currently holds the WBC welterweight title and Inoue is the undisputed junior featherweight champion.
A notable part of Ryan’s post was his willingness to stream workouts.
One of the things Ryan mentioned in his X post was his desire to stream workouts. Ryan didn’t say whether he would bring the idea to Naoya to see if he agreed with it or not, nor did he give a date when he would train with the Japanese star.
At this stage, Ryan’s comments appear to reflect purpose rather than final findings. Although he has publicly outlined the plan, Inoue has not announced any potential training session.
If training takes place, they will bring together champions separated by more than 20 pounds in weight. Ryan is fighting in the welterweight division, and Inoue is building his championship streak in the junior featherweight division.
The idea remains one Ryan hopes to implement during his visit to Tokyo, with the added possibility of giving fans a glimpse of the session via livestream.
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