Bernie took to the MillCity podcast to shoot down the idea of Ryan actually stepping into the ring with Shakur. He doesn’t buy the interest for a second. In his view, the WBC welterweight title is being treated as a business asset rather than a competitive prize, with Garcia focusing on protecting his status instead of testing it against the best.
“Ryan Garcia is lying about wanting to fight Kur,” Bernie said. “He’s milking that WBC world title.”
The criticism did not stop there. Bernie pointed to Teofimo Lopez as the opponent he believes Ryan is actually targeting, suggesting the direction makes more sense from a risk standpoint than a fight with Stevenson. He tied that view to Teofimo’s recent form, arguing the former champion is a softer target at this stage.
“He wants Teofimo,” Davis said, viewing the choice as a calculated move on Garcia’s part.
Ryan keeps mentioning Stevenson’s name, creating fan interest that suggests a clash is possible. Bernie sees through this. He believes the public talk is a smokescreen from the real plan, with Shakur’s name acting as a placeholder to keep fans hooked while Ryan’s team scouts for a different path.
The WBC belt complicates the situation. Holding a world title carries expectations regarding the quality of opponents, and Davis is calling that into question by suggesting the focus is on protecting the belt rather than testing it against the elite.
Teofimo stays in the mix as a marquee name with a resume to match, despite the growing questions surrounding his recent form. It is exactly that blend of star power and potential weakness that Davis sees as the draw, making him a much more attractive target for Garcia than a high-risk assignment against Stevenson.
Ryan remains silent on the claims, and while the rumor mill is moving, nothing is official. The names are circulating, yet the true path forward is a mystery. Davis acknowledges that Garcia’s talk of Stevenson makes for a good story, but he isn’t buying it as a realistic plan.
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