Despite a recent promotional split, Bob Arum still has high praise for three-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson.
By the numbers, Stevenson is one of the least hittable fighters in the sport. He currently holds the WBC Lightweight World Title with one defence under his belt after winning championships at both feather and super-featherweight.
The 27-year-old recently signed with Matchroom when his contract with Arum’s Top Rank ended. There is, however, no bad blood, and the 93-year-old promoter is unbiased in his assessment.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Arum said he can’t see any fighter beating Shakur at 135 pounds other than Keyshawn Davis.
“I still think he is a tremendous talent. And I think he’ll beat any lightweight with the possible exception of Keyshawn Davis … Neither guy wants to fight each other.”
That fight between Arum’s former and current charges will not happen for one reason – the pair are as good as family.
Speaking to FightHype about the possibility of a ‘boxing super league’ Stevenson made his feelings clear on facing training partner and friend Davis.
“Here’s the thing. I already told y’all, there’s only one person I wouldn’t fight, but I’m down with fighting anybody so I wouldn’t mind getting in some s**t like that if it make sense. But if it’s me and Keyshawn in there I wouldn’t wanna do that s**t.”
Keyshawn shares the sentiment, saying the champion is ‘like a brother.’
“Like a brother, for real. Literally like a brother. It’s deeper than boxing. We’ll never fight each other. His family is my family … It’s just gonna be like that.”
Should the pair stick to their pact, which is likely, it will prevent an undisputed lightweight world champion if Davis is to beat WBO champion Denys Berinchyk next year – a fight that is not yet official but reportedly close to being made.
Stevenson is next out on the bumper February 22 card against Floyd Schofield.
