Shakur Stevenson is Willing to Face Vasiliy Lomachenko
One of the most talented young fighters in boxing today is arguably two-divisional champion Shakur “Fearless” Stevenson (17-0, 9ko). Fearless is currently the WBO junior lightweight champion after dethroning fellow stablemate Jamel Herring. After chasing WBC champion Oscar Valdez, Fearless could be persuaded to fight former unified lightweight champion Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko.
CHASING VALDEZ
Stevenson has been chasing Valdez since they both were campaigning in the featherweight division. Fearless, on several occasions, was seen in a public dispute with Valdez’s manager when they were trying to make a unification with Herring.
“Y’all, this is Valdez manager. They think I don’t exist or sum. I’m #1 in the WBO and WBC, how the hell y’all think y’all fighting without fighting me?”
Shakur Stevenson, WBO junior lightweight champion
RELATED: Shakur Stevenson: “Top Rank Wants Valdez vs Navarrete!”
“Like I say, it’s politics at the end of the day. Oscar Valdez is making Top Rank money…I don’t think they are in a rush to throw him in with me.”
Shakur Stevenson – WBO junior lightweight champion
Top Rank boss Bob Arum echoed those sentiments by mentioning how WBO featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete’s team wants to fight Valdez.
“Navarrete and all of his people at ringside said the next fight they want is Valdez….Valdez’s manager, Frank Espinoza, likes that fight.”
Bob Arum – Top Rank Chairman
In fairness, Valdez has made it clear that a fight with the winner of Herring and Stevenson was next. So this is not the fighters, but upper management, looking to explore more lucrative opportunities.
STEVENSON IS GAME FOR THE FIGHT
Now, it seems Arum is back to beating an old drum about making Stevenson versus Lomachenko. In 2019, Devin “The Dream” Haney, then a mandatory challenger, was barking up the tree to fight with then unified champion Lomachenko. Arum had planted the seed of a future showdown between Hi-tech and Fearless back then.
Social media is on fire as Arum is looking to make good on the idea of making the fight a reality. Lomachenko must first get past former champion Richard Commey, as they will do battle live on ESPN+, Saturday, December 11.
Stevenson was unenthusiastic about the idea in the beginning, but it seems to have grown on him. He took to social media to let the boxing community know he is all in for it
By: Garrisson Bland
Reading Time: 3 minutes
