Shakur Stevenson Labels Loma a Chicken for Ducking
One of the better matchups that could be made in the lightweight division would be a battle between lefties and multi-divisional champions Vasyl “Loma” Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs) and Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs). Unfortunately, it’s a fight that will not happen anytime soon, as Loma has turned down an opportunity to fight Stevenson this fall.
On August 2, the WBC stated they would order a match between Lomachenko and Stevenson for the vacant WBC lightweight belt. But 3kingsboxing.com has learned Lomachenko wants to take additional time off following his May 20 unanimous decision loss to lightweight champion Devin Haney. Upon hearing of Lomachenko’s decision, Stevenson unleashed a series of posts on social media to voice his outrage:
IS LOMACHENKO MAKING A MISTAKE?
A fight between Lomachenko and Stevenson would have been something to witness. They are two of the slickest and most skilled fighters that you will see in the ring. It would have been a matchup of pure boxing chess.
Some fans have expressed surprise about Lomachenko’s decision. But Loma was crushed following his defeat to Haney. Plus, at age 35, Lomachenko is not a spring chicken anymore. He may need more time to recover at this stage of his career.
Lomachenko is ranked first by the WBC at 135, and Stevenson is currently ranked second. The next highest-ranked fighters by the WBC at 135 are Isaac Cruz and Frank Martin.
Stevenson has eyed a fight with Lomachenko and wanted to pit his skills against the three-division world champion. Instead, he will fight the next highest-rated contender in the WBC rankings for the vacant title.
