Shakur Stevenson Wants to Face Undisputed Champ Devin Haney!
Former unified champ Shakur Stevenson (19-0, 9 KOs) had a mostly successful homecoming on September 23 in Newark, New Jersey. He scored a dominant twelve-round decision win over Robson Conceicao (17-2, 8 KOs) at the Prudential Center. The fight was somewhat marred as Stevenson lost the WBC and WBO junior lightweight titles after failing to make weight at the pre-fight weigh-in.
As a result, the gifted southpaw has stated he will now campaign at lightweight. Many fans fancy Stevenson fighting the likes of undisputed champ Devin Haney. Following the victory over Conceicao, he was asked by the boxing media about possibly facing the current lightweight king.
LET’S DO THIS
“We gotta fight the champ. Set it up! Me and Devin, we could lock-in. After he fights Kambosos, let’s
get it on.”
Anyone who has seen Stevenson in action knows that a move to lightweight was a strong possibility.
He was big for a 130-pounder. He has a frame that can add weight with ease. Even before the fight with Conceicao, the 25-year-old openly talked about fighting at 135.
THE WAY IT COULD HAPPEN
Haney’s next fight is a rematch with George Kambosos on October 15. Should he win, many pundits presume that he will then face former unified champ Vasyl “Loma” Lomachenko, assuming Loma defeats Jamaine Ortiz on October 29. If all that plays out and Haney gets by both Kambosos and Loma, a Haney-Stevenson battle could occur in the Fall of 2023.
If this was based on talent and talent alone, Stevenson is good enough to compete with anyone
at lightweight, including Haney. A fight between him and Haney at some point is a possibility, as both men are with Top Rank. However, there is work to be done before it can happen. Don’t be surprised if Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is already mapping up a plan for that potential showdown.
Haney-Stevenson for the undisputed lightweight champion of the world in 2023? That’s something fans would eat up and welcome with open arms.
By: Garrisson Bland
Be the first to comment