Promoter Eddie Hearn introduced signing Shakur Stevenson to a two-fight cope with Matchroom Boxing. The deal will see Shakur defend his WBC light-weight title towards Joe Cordina after which probably William Zepeda in early 2025 in February.
Hearn says he desires to match Shakur towards Gervonta Davis in the summertime of subsequent 12 months. As many anticipate, he could not get there if he loses to Zepeda. If he runs from Zepeda all night time like he did towards Edwin De Los Santos, his recognition shall be so low that making the Tank battle can be a waste of time.
The 2-fight deal Hearn signed with Shakur permits them to rapidly half methods if the connection isn’t useful for each. Shakur should produce towards Cordina and Zepeda for him to be price signing to a long-term contract.
It received’t be good if Shakur is booed out of the Kingdom Area in Riyadh for his battle towards Cordina or if Zepeda knocks him out in February.
Hearn believes he’s bought a fighter with “famous person” potential in Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs), and he feels he’s the one who can promote him into existence.
“He could also be unbeatable. I do know he’s a pound-for-pound star. I consider Stevenson has been “massively undersold” and ought to be a worldwide famous person,” stated Hearn to Matchroom Boxing.
Provided that Shakur virtually misplaced to Edwin De Los Santos, it’s secure to say that he’s not “unbeatable” and can lose towards Zepeda, if not with the gimme towards Cordina.
The explanation Shakur isn’t a “pound-for-pound star” is that fighters need to be prepared to trade to make that distinction, and he’s proven no willingness to do this. Shakur’s whole recreation is constructed round his protection and never getting hit. He’s one-dimensional in that respect, and it’s a must to be extra well-rounded to be a “pound-for-pound star” and a worldwide attraction.
“For Shakur, there’s this two-fight plan of Joe Cordina and if he’s triumphant into the [William] Zepeda battle,” stated Hearn. “We’ll present him throughout that interval our price. We’ll work collectively intently, after which we’ll transfer ahead towards Gervonta Davis and everyone.”
Shakur is sweet for what he’s; he’s a defensive artist and performs the villain character rather well in his interviews and frequent Twitter posts. However concerning leisure worth, he’s not what U.S. followers need to see. Hearn has bought it incorrect and fails to grasp what the American followers get pleasure from watching. They like entertaining fighters like Gervonta Davis, Canelo Alvarez, and William Zepeda.
Shakur’s earlier promoters, Prime Rank, tried to show him right into a star and rapidly found that his ultra-cautious preventing type didn’t curiosity the common American fan.
