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Stevenson links Garcia’s fight to VADA testing conditions

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Image: Shakur Stevenson ties Ryan Garcia fight to VADA testing before talks begin

Shakur Stevenson accepted Ryan Garcia’s call, but he did it on his own terms. He immediately tied every future fight to VADA testing, bringing Garcia’s story into the conversation about failed testing before negotiations even began.

Garcia named Stevenson his favorite next opponent as he prepares for a title fight against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on February 21. He floated the idea of ​​a non-standard catchweight match between the divisions, showing a willingness to go beyond customary boundaries if the fight was possible.

“I really want to fight Shakur,” Garcia said Ring Magazine. “I want to go from Barrios to Shakur… 144. I will create a whole division called 44. Me and Shakur.”

Shortly thereafter, Stevenson responded on social media, essentially accepting the proposal, including a clear stipulation related to drug testing.

“144 Ryan, let’s do it… I’ll be at your fight, now scrub! VADA is going to be involved, so don’t run away from it,” Shakur said on the show X.

Social acceptance was subject to a certain condition

The reference to the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association links directly to Garcia’s recent history. His April victory over Devin Haney was ruled a no contest after he tested positive for a banned substance, changing his position and placing additional scrutiny on his future fights.

Stevenson’s decision to publicly mention VADA ensures that the issue will remain linked to any discussion involving Garcia. The terms of drug testing are usually negotiated privately between camps and promoters, but Stevenson immediately went public with the issue. This decision establishes testing as part of the foundation, rather than something that will be quietly negotiated later.

His response also changes the direction of the conversation. Garcia initiated the call, but Stevenson used his response to determine how the fight would go.

Garcia still has cases ahead of him

Garcia must face Barrios first, and the outcome will influence his options going forward. A win would keep him in position to continue at his proposed catchweight, and a loss would dampen demand for fresh, high-profile fights.

Stevenson’s position remains secure regardless of the deadline. He recently secured the 140-pound world title and has mentioned numerous opponents across all weight classes, including Isaac Cruz and Conor Benn. His early references to VADA ensure that testing will be linked to any potential deal whenever discussions begin.

Stevenson provides pre-negotiation screening

Players regularly call each other out, but Stevenson’s response went further by establishing expectations of compliance and supervision. He confirmed Garcia’s interest, setting a condition that reflected Garcia’s recent disciplinary history.

Garcia’s immediate focus is on Barrios, while Stevenson continues to explore options across the divisions. The fight itself remains uncertain, but Stevenson has already defined part of the environment in which it will take place, showing that he intends to control more than just his opponent when the moment comes.

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Roy Jones Jr sums up Tyson Fury’s chances of beating top-ranked Lennox Lewis

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Roy Jones Jr sums up Tyson Fury’s chances of beating a prime Lennox Lewis

Britain has produced some great heavyweights in recent years, ending an almost century-long curse and seeing success in the division ever since. Predicting the outcome of the clash between two of the best fighters in the country, Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury, Roy Jones Jr said it would be a “great fight”.

Bob Fitzsimmons became the first British world heavyweight champion in 1897, and he and Jones remain the only two fighters in boxing history to have won both middleweight and heavyweight world titles.

However, Great Britain struggled for success in the division after the Fitzsimmons fight, unable to claim heavyweight supremacy until Lennox Lewis became WBC world champion in 1992. Britain has since crowned its title 11th world heavyweight championFabio Wardley, who follows in the footsteps of Fury and Anthony Joshua.

In an interview with Grosvenor CasinoJones said he would give Lewis an advantage over the “Gypsy King” if they met in their prime.

“Tyson Fury vs. Lennox Lewis? That would be a great fight, but my first thought was Lennox Lewis because of his power. But my second thought was also that Tyson Fury was great at making adjustments. I would go with Lennox Lewis.”

At least one heavyweight world title is expected to remain in a Briton’s hands for some time, with Daniel Dubois scheduled to face another Briton, Fabio Wardley, for the WBO belt next month.

In the meantime, we hope 21-year-old Moses Itauma can continue Britain’s success for many years to come, with the youngster considered by many to be the hottest prospect in boxing.

As for Fury, he is focused on the UK-wide megafight with Joshua – their own ‘Battle of Britain’ after Lennox fought Frank Bruno in 1993.

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Jermell Charlo says Derrick James has changed with fame

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Image: Jermell Charlo says Derrick James changed as success grew

“Derrick James, he started getting a little more players and a little more buzz, and I feel like our communication has changed,” Charlo told Brian Custer.

Charlo said that as James built a larger stable, there was less hands-on time spent with him and more trying to control the gym environment. He claimed that James wanted things done his way, including telling players to remove dogs from the gym during training sessions and changing the atmosphere that helped build their success.

Charlo has been out of the ring since his loss to Saul Alvarez in 2023, and James recently split from Errol Spence Jr. A coach once considered one of the safest hands in the sport is suddenly facing public criticism from two of his biggest names.

“He wanted it his way,” Charlo said. “Coach needs us. Don’t overdo it, coach. Serene down, coach. I was your first champion.”

He also pointed to his camp leading up to the Alvarez fight, saying the support around him wasn’t the same when he needed it most.

“You don’t enter into a world title fight like that,” Charlo said.

Charlo still believes he can regain his spot in the junior middleweight division, and talks about a possible fight with Sebastian Fundora are ongoing later this year. His confidence hasn’t changed, but his patience with ancient alliances has noticeably changed. Sometimes a rift begins when success changes the room.

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Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight: ‘It’s going to sound crazy’

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Prince Naseem Hamed predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “This is going to sound mad”

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua look set to face each other later this year in what could be one of the biggest British boxing events of all time.

Another British legend, Naseem Hamed, presented the course of the fight in a surprising way.

Fury had his ring returned within a a decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier this monthshaking off ring rust at the age of 37 and allegedly preparing for a showdown with Joshua that the “Gypsy King” was set to take place this summer.

However, ‘AJ’ instead maintained that he would prefer a warm-up fight first, with the Londoner expected to return to action in July, ahead of a long-awaited meeting with his arch-rival in November.

I’m talking to talkSPORT BoxingHamed was looking forward to this match and suggested that a draw could be on the cards.

“Who do I think will win the fight between AJ and Fury? Well, that is the question and everyone wants to know.

“Years ago, Tyson had this awkward style for me where he could make AJ look stupid, that’s true. Now everything has changed. Tyson seemed to have backed off a little bit.

“But with Tyson Fury you never know, maybe one night he’ll show up and box amazingly and do what he did to Wilder. Those first few rounds [against Makhmudov]I was a little disappointed that he didn’t go from the start.

“This is going to sound crazy to you, but would it be unbelievable if I said it could be a draw?”

It is unclear whether Fury will also fight in the summer or whether he will avoid risking a lucrative romance with Joshua and wait patiently on the sidelines.

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