Fans continue to wait for a fight between Gervonta Davis versus Shakur Stevenson.
The two undefeated Americans each hold belts in the lightweight division – Davis the WBA, Stevenson the WBC – and have the sort of style clash that makes for one of the most intriguing bouts in boxing.
In one corner is the destructive power of ‘Tank’, which has led him to stopping all but two of his 30 opponents inside the distance. In the other is Stevenson’s elite movement and defence, taking the 27-year-old to plenty unanimous victories often without a scratch on him.
Who would come out on top is a hot debate in the sport, but the only way to settle it seems no closer, even despite both recently fighting in the same timeframe and looking for opponents.
Shakur has now signed a deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and the pair set out a hit-list upon announcing the link up. He is to face Joe Cordina on October 12 and will then look to take on number one contender William Zepeda before making the ‘Tank’ Davis fight.
Despite the grand plans, the knockout artist’s co-trainer, Kenny Ellis, believes that promotional pact will stand in the way of the fight fans want to see. In an interview with Mill City Boxing, Ellis was asked if he believes the fight happens in 2025.
“Not if he’s signed with Matchroom, cause they not gonna do that to Shakur. They wouldn’t do that … This is my opinion, I’m not saying the fight ain’t gonna happen after 2025 but I wouldn’t do it. He’s a three-time champion. He don’t need no more experience, no more build-up, his names big enough. Everybody want it now. Anything else is just bulls**t. So if you can’t do it now or in 2025, why do it in 26?”
Asked what happened to any talks this year, Ellis said Stevenson ‘got protective custody’ – referencing a previous interview in which he said signing with Matchroom and working with Riyadh Season in Saudi was preventing the fight.
“Man, I don’t even want to go back and forth with that. They grown men. Shakur could’ve fought. He got protective custody. He ain’t have to do that. That’s the end of that.”
Whilst Stevenson has his return booked for Saudi Arabia next month against two-time super featherweight world champion Cordina, Davis is yet to announce his next move. It’s believed that he will return to Las Vegas in November, but no opponent has been given away just yet. There’s a possibility he moves up to super-lightweight to challenge newly-crowned WBA Champion Jose Valenzuela.
