Ryan Garcia VADA demands are being publicly criticized by the WBC welterweight champion himself, who argues against Shakur Stevenson’s insistence on year-round testing for a potential fight. Garcia’s fiery remarks, reported on July 12, 2026, suggest Stevenson’s demands are rooted in fear, a direct consequence of Garcia’s recent dominant performance against Mario Barrios.
Stevenson’s calls for stringent drug testing follow Garcia’s previous positive test for the banned substance Ostarine after his April 2024 bout with Devin Haney. That infamous fight was ultimately declared a no-contest, leading to a one-year suspension for Garcia. But the Californian insists he has been clean and testing regularly, dismissing Stevenson’s concerns as “delusional” and a sign of weakness.
Stevenson’s call for year-round VADA testing
Shakur Stevenson made his position clear, stating he’d welcome a fight with Ryan Garcia but only under specific conditions. He told Complex News that he believes year-round VADA testing, similar to what Bill Haney and Devin Haney had previously requested from Garcia, should be mandatory.
“I would love to fight Ryan Garcia,” Stevenson said, emphasizing the importance of consistent testing. He views it as a necessary measure, given the history involved. This isn’t a new stance for Stevenson; he first issued this ultimatum around February 22, 2026, following Garcia’s victory over Mario Barrios.
Garcia’s past doping controversy fuels demands
The origin of Stevenson’s apprehension dates back to Garcia’s contentious April 2024 fight against Devin Haney. Garcia, then weighing 143.25 pounds—3.25 pounds over the 140-pound limit—subsequently tested positive for Ostarine, a performance-enhancing drug.
The positive test cast a shadow over his career, changing the fight outcome to a no-contest and leading to a significant suspension. Stevenson directly referenced this past incident, questioning Garcia’s physical appearance in his recent fight against Mario Barrios compared to his earlier bout with Rolando Romero.
“Was VADA involved in this fight? Because I seen against Rolly and he didn’t look like that,” Stevenson stated after Garcia’s win over Barrios. He later expressed satisfaction when a DAZN presenter confirmed VADA’s involvement in the Barrios fight, but his core demand for continued scrutiny remains.
Garcia hits back at ‘delusional’ rivals
Ryan Garcia didn’t hold back in his response to Shakur Stevenson’s demands. He dismissed Stevenson’s concerns, stating he’s been undergoing year-round testing even before his controversial fight with Devin Haney. Garcia believes these accusations are simply a tactic born from fear.
“Is he [Shakur] stupid? I’m so tired of him, bro. I’ve been testing even way before Haney. These guys are delusional,” Garcia exclaimed. He specifically named Stevenson and the Haneys, suggesting their comments are designed to undermine his recent success.
“Do you understand how scared and terrified they are of me?” Garcia pressed, adding that other opponents don’t face the same scrutiny regarding drug testing. He reiterated that he is consistently tested, calling his detractors “freaking idiots.”
The Mario Barrios performance and its impact
Earlier this year, on February 21, 2026, Ryan Garcia secured the WBC welterweight title with a dominant unanimous decision win over Mario Barrios. The scores were 119-108, 120-107, and 118-109, with Garcia notably dropping Barrios in the opening round.
Garcia believes this performance fundamentally altered how his potential opponents perceive him. He argued that his explosive display against Barrios has reignited old, unfounded accusations of steroid use, which he sees as a desperate attempt to explain his power and skill.
“They’ve seen my last performance against Mario Barrios, and all of a sudden I’m doing steroids again,” Garcia stated, clearly frustrated. He countered these claims by highlighting his long history in boxing, emphasizing his natural punching power that predates his professional career.
“I’ve been hurting people since I was 11, 10. I knocked out a grown man when I was 12. What are you talking about?” Garcia asserted. He finds the accusations insulting, convinced that his rivals are deliberately spreading falsehoods because they fear his capabilities in the ring.
Garcia’s previous fight was a loss to Rolando Romero in May 2025, which makes his impressive win over Barrios even more impactful in the eyes of many.
What a Garcia-Stevenson fight would mean
A potential showdown between Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson would undoubtedly be one of boxing’s most anticipated matchups. Both fighters are significant draws in their respective divisions, and a clash would unify titles or at least pit two elite talents against each other.
Stevenson has openly called for a fight, even suggesting a catchweight of 144 pounds initially, stating, “We’ll meet in the middle [144lbs]. Two big stars, big fight; we don’t need a belt for the fight.” Garcia, for his part, later responded on X, agreeing to 140 pounds and directly challenging Stevenson: “Forget the catchweight s***.
Let’s do it for real. I want to take your belt and snatch it right off you.”
The back-and-forth isn’t just about drug testing; it’s also about establishing dominance and challenging each other’s claims of supremacy. Garcia, for instance, called Stevenson “a BUM!” on Stephen A. Smith’s show on July 8, 2026. This kind of rhetoric builds significant hype for a potential bout.
Expert opinions on a potential clash
Prominent boxing figures have weighed in on a hypothetical fight between Garcia and Stevenson. Former five-weight world boxing champion and future Hall-of-Famer Terence Crawford, for instance, believes Shakur Stevenson would have a distinct advantage.
“I think he’d wipe the floor with him,” Crawford said, referring to Stevenson fighting Garcia. Crawford’s analysis pointed to their stylistic differences, noting, “I don’t think Ryan’s gonna be able to hit Shakur like Barrios. Barrios was right there to be hit. Barrios was too slow.”
This perspective underscores the technical challenge Stevenson presents, known for his defensive prowess and ring IQ. For Stevenson, the bout represents another opportunity to solidify his claim as “the leader of boxing’s next generation,” a title he frequently asserts. He’s previously expressed his confidence, stating on X, “I’m gonna cook him.”
The ongoing battle for credibility and a future mega-fight
The verbal sparring between Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson highlights a deeper struggle within boxing: the balance between performance, anti-doping regulations, and promotional hype. Garcia’s past VADA infraction continues to be a point of leverage for his rivals, despite his claims of consistent current testing.
This also brings to mind other instances of negotiations where contract disputes have stalled major boxing matches, demonstrating the complexities involved in securing high-profile bouts.
Garcia, who is now the WBC welterweight champion, sees these demands as a direct attack on his legitimacy and a tactic to avoid facing him. He’s publicly stated that he doesn’t “have many options” besides Teofimo Lopez, claiming Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson have “ducked” him.
He also indicated that “testing is always included, I’ve never shy’d away from that” as long as there are “no rehydration clause things.”
The intensity of the rhetoric, with Garcia even threatening legal action for defamation (“For Shakur to assume I’m on steroids, that is defamation. So I would advise you to refrain yourself. I know you are deep down scared and you should have fear.
I’m coming for you.”), suggests that any future negotiations will be fraught with tension. But it also fuels public interest, setting the stage for what could be a massive event if both sides can eventually come to terms.
Whether the VADA demands are genuine concern or strategic posturing, they’ve certainly added another layer to the already complex narrative surrounding a potential fight between two of boxing’s most talked-about stars. The boxing world will be watching closely to see if these champions can move past the verbal jabs and into the ring.
In the lead-up to any significant bout, such behind-the-scenes drama often plays a crucial role in building anticipation. Fans are eager for a definitive answer, not just on who the better fighter is, but on whether the sport’s top talents will truly face each other without unnecessary delays.
This ongoing saga is reminiscent of other major fights where negotiations dragged on, like in the case of boxing match delayed by contract talks. Meanwhile, Stevenson has been quite active in his call-outs, having rejected Jose Valenzuela, targeting Devin Haney and other top names in the division.
