Shakur Stevenson has been criticised in the past for fighting safety first. He has promised fans that he will show his best when he fights the best, but has struggled to land statement opponents.
Statistically one of the least hittable fighters in the sport, Stevenson embodies the ‘hit and don’t get hit’ mantra to a tee. He is undefeated, a three-weight world champion and rarely looks in trouble inside the ropes.
Though the 27-year-old from Newark hasn’t landed huge fights, it has not been for the want of trying. He has been vocal in calling out Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Vasily Lomachenko.
He was, at one stage, mandatory for Haney at lightweight, but the latter decided to vacate his undisputed status to move up a division. Stevenson has said he will meet him there for a bout in future, but Haney – who won the WBC belt at super-lightweight but has since become champion in recess – recently revealed that he will again jump up and now compete at welterweight.
Speaking to Cigar Talk, Stevenson was asked if Haney does go to 147 pounds and doesn’t come back down, is the fight off the table? He said yes.
“That s**t seems about over right now. If he at 47, I’m a natural 35. I’m comfortable at 35. If we was to fight, it could be at 40. I will fight at 40 but I ain’t fighting at no damn 47 … That ship must have sailed if he ain’t coming back down to 40.”
Garcia upset the odds to beat Haney last April but the result was quickly overturned to a no contest due to Garcia failing two doping tests.
As for Stevenson, he is set to defend his WBC Lightweight World Title against Floyd Schofield on February 22.
