Shakur Stevenson Archives

Shakur Stevenson is riding high off the back of an extremely watchable win over William Zepeda.

The American entered his latest WBC Lightweight World Title defence facing claims that he was not main event worthy due to a lack of engaging in fights, content to rely on his elite defence to win over twelve.

Whilst the Zepeda fight did go the distance, Stevenson stayed in the pocket for extended periods of time to showcase his stellar defence, countering the challenger and slipping around 700 shots, according to Compubox.He won a wide unanimous decision.

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With his belt retained and feeling a fresh appreciation for his skillset, Shakur has turned his attentions to what’s next. Out of blue, Conor Benn (23-1, 14 KOs) appears to be in the mix.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show alongside Benn, Stevenson told the Brit that he is willing to more up to welterweight to face him.

“Let’s make it happen … I won my fight. Your last fight what did you do? I just told you [I’ll jump up two weight divisions] at 147. What are you gonna do? You’re not that big, bro. You’re not gonna hit me.”

Benn – who recently jumped two weight classes himself to face Chris Eubank Jr and will do so again in their September rematch – responded by claiming Stevenson was hurt on Saturday night against Mexican pressure fighter Zepeda, and that he would feel a different power moving up.

“Zepeda almost knocked you out. I saw the legs buckle. I thought, at 135 this guy thinks he come come up 147 and fight me? We ain’t close to the same size … Listen, I’ll come back down and fight you at 147 in November.”

Finally, Stevenson agreed and the pair shook hands.

“November? Yeah, I’m down … After I beat you, just tell me I’m great.”

The exchange was friendly with a hint of competition, but neither man looked to be anything but serious about the fight plans. Whether or not it makes sense for their career trajectories is another matter.

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Shakur Stevenson made a big statement with his latest world title defence.

He was putting his WBC lightweight title on the line against mandatory challenger William Zepeda at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, in a bout that many felt could have been Stevenson’s toughest test to date.

Stevenson had received some criticism for his recent performances, but he appeared to silence those critics by putting in a dominant performance, claiming a unanimous decision victory after the judges scored it 119-109, 118-110, 118-110 in his favour.

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It meant that Zepeda suffered the first defeat of his professional career, while Stevenson extended his unbeaten record to 24-0, and has now turned his attention to who he wants to share the ring with next.

Speaking at his post-fight press conference, Stevenson once again made it clear that he wants to fight his long-term rival and fellow world champion Gervonta Davis.

“Who’s next? I told you all who I wanted to fight. The best vs the best. That should be my next fight. I told you all I’m a dog and a top level, elite level fighter. Let’s make boxing great again. Let’s put the best fighters in the ring together and let’s see who comes out victorious.”

Davis holds the WBA lightweight title, and was expected to return to action in August for a rematch with Lamont Roach, after their controversial first meeting back in March.

That was thrown into doubt though after ‘Tank’ was recently arrested, but Roach has claimed that their rematch is still scheduled to take place next month.

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