Shakur Stevenson, never one to hold back on Twitter, had boxing fans cracking up this week after mistaking a member of Canelo Álvarez’sSaudi Arabia training entourage for controversial NFL star Antonio Brown. “Swear I thought that was my bro Antonio Brown,” Stevenson posted, after spotting the lookalike in a photo alongside Canelo and trainer Eddy Reynoso. The tweet quickly caught fire, drawing reactions from amused fans who admitted they also did a double take.
The mix-up came just days after Stevenson publicly criticized Riyadh Season, a jab that didn’t go unnoticed. But now, the lightweight champion seems to be doing some cleanup. Whether intentional or not, the Antonio Brown moment shifted the tone of the conversation and brought a bit of levity to what had been a tense exchange with Saudi officials.
From tension to apology
Only days earlier, Stevenson appeared to burn bridges with Turki Alalshikh, a key figure behind Riyadh Season’s boxing events. But in a surprising turn, he extended an olive branch via social media: “Excited about my next fight; it was a misunderstanding between Turki and the team. My apologies on my part for overreacting.”
The apology marks a significant pivot in tone from the Newark native, who had previously suggested negotiations with the Saudis fell apart over money and miscommunication. With Canelo now fully engaged in his four-fight deal in the region, starting with William Scull, then Terence Crawford in September, it’s clear Saudi Arabia is becoming a heavyweight player in the boxing landscape. Stevenson’s reversal may be a strategic move to keep future doors open.
Looking ahead to Zepeda and beyond
After Gervonta Davis failed to respond to calls for a mega-fight, Stevenson shifted focus to William Zepeda, someone he was previously scheduled to face earlier this year. That matchup now looks like the most likely option, and could offer Stevenson a much-needed high-profile bout to maintain momentum.
In the shifting world of boxing politics, sometimes the smartest move isn’t a punch, it’s a post. And for Stevenson, a little humor and humility might go a long way in getting him back in the global spotlight.
Read the full article here
