Ryan Garcia backs Muratalla to beat Shakur Stevenson in boxing

Ryan Garcia has picked Raymond Muratalla to defeat Shakur Stevenson if the two meet over 12 rounds. Garcia believes Stevenson would have the advantage in a three- or six-round contest, but has sided with Muratalla in a full championship-distance fight.

Garcia considers the matchup a difficult one for Stevenson because of Muratalla’s intelligence and ability to avoid reckless exchanges. The assessment comes as both fighters’ plans point towards the super-lightweight division, although no contest between them has been confirmed.

Stevenson remains unbeaten after 25 professional fights. He moved up to super-lightweight in January and dominated Teofimo Lopez to win the WBO title. He had intended to return to lightweight, but was stripped of his 135-pound championship and has retained his 140-pound belt instead.

The Newark southpaw has not fought since that victory. A possible spring meeting with Garcia fell apart after Stevenson said he was unwilling to move up in weight again. Garcia is now scheduled to face Conor Benn next month.

Stevenson has also recently signed with Zuffa Boxing and is looking for an opponent for his second fight of 2026. Muratalla, meanwhile, is set to give up his IBF lightweight title as he moves into the super-lightweight division.

The WBO has indicated that Muratalla could become Stevenson’s mandatory challenger after making the move. That possibility gives Garcia’s prediction a potential route to a real title fight, with Muratalla’s 12-round strengths set to be tested against Stevenson’s unbeaten record.