After putting on a boxing masterclass and dominating William Zepeda in his third title defense, Shakur Stevenson has finally dispelled the doubts of the skeptics. His stellar performance at Louis Armstrong Stadium not only cemented his unbeaten record and reign as lightweight champion, but also reinforced his clamor for the fight he really wants. However, the route to that dream matchup is far from straightforward.
With a career spanning almost a decade without defeat and titles in three divisions, Stevenson has faced a constant avalanche of criticism about his style. Not even his recent knockout of Josh Padley managed to convince everyone. However, the emphatic victory over Zepeda has transformed the perception of many, now positioning him as an inescapable talent in world boxing.
What happens now?
Just hours after his impressive triumph, the inevitable question about his next opponent flooded the press conference. A reporter asked Stevenson: “After this victory, who’s next?” Visibly frustrated by the recurrence of the question, the champion replied: “I already told you who I want to fight. I can’t keep saying the same thing.”
“I want the best against the best. That should be my next fight. I already told you I’m a dog. I’m a top elite fighter. So let’s make boxing great again. Let’s put the best fighters in the ring against each other and see who comes out victorious,” added the boxer.
Although Shakur Stevenson did not explicitly say the name, the message is clear to most fans: the desired opponent in the 135-pound division is Gervonta Davis. Stevenson has been challenging the Baltimore native for quite some time, seeking an explosive title unification.
A difficult road
The road to a showdown with Davis, however, is fraught with obstacles. Not only has Gervonta Davis been reluctant to commit to this long-awaited fight, but he has also been a source of ridicule towards Stevenson in the past, questioning his achievements in the sport. “What has Shakur done in a sport?” Davis once said, minimizing his career.
Beyond the provocations, Davis seems to be going through a rough patch. His recent title defense against Lamont Roach Jr. ended controversially, drawing harsh criticism. In addition, recent reports from various media outlets indicate that Davis was arrested on assault charges, casting doubt on the fate of the highly anticipated rematch against Roach Jr. and, by extension, a possible fight against Shakur Stevenson.
This potential fight does not look easy, at least for now, but Stevenson is clear about what he wants and sooner or later he will get it. The boxer continues to make waves and if one thing is for sure, it’s that he won’t stop until he has everything he wants.
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