Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson are both undefeated lightweight champions with the opportunity to unify the belts and make their case for the best in the division.
The two American fighters have long been considered as some of the best of this era, but a lack of top-level fights has left fans frustrated.
As one of the most sought-after contests in the sport, predictions are not in short supply.
Speaking to FightHype just two weeks ago, Hall of Fame fighter turned analyst Tim Bradley said Stevenson wins the fight ‘with no problem whatsoever.’
“Call me a hater or whatever. Keep coming at me. Keep bringing that hate. I love it. He beats Tank. He outboxes him very easy with no problem whatsoever.”
‘Tank’ Davis knocked out the previously-undefeated Frank Martin last time out. The calculated, patient and ultimately destructive performance drew praise from all corners of the boxing world.
Stevenson followed up with a successful title defence of his own, a routine if underwhelming points win over former Martin opponent Artem Harutyunyan. The defense-first performance has been criticised and branded as boring by some in the sport.
With both fights in mind, Bradley told Sean Zittel he now sees a route for Davis to get the win.
“Yes [Shakur’s last performance has changed my assessment of the fight]. I’ve still got Shakur but I can see a path to where ‘Tank’ can beat him, I can see it. I can see a path to where ‘Tank’ can catch him and hurt him and knock him out.
When you put heat on Shakur he’s so defensive that he doesn’t throw punches, nothing is returned. So you can mount an attack on him and let your hands go and you’re not going to receive any counter punches coming back. I think ‘Tank’ knows that.
If he starts moving back on his bike and ‘Tank’s coming forward, ‘Tank’s going to be called the aggressor, so now I can see ‘Tank’ winning the fight, when I thought that he couldn’t, on the scorecards and not knocking out Shakur. The inactivity behind his defense could be his downfall.”
Fans will have to wait and see how the fight would play out as Davis enters talks to face IBF Champion Vasiliy Lomachenko. Stevenson has welcomed a bout with number one contender William Zepeda in the meantime.
