Shakur Stevenson says he’d struggle light-weight prospect Abdullah Mason sooner or later. WBC 135-lb champion Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) says he respects the 20-year-old Mason, and he doesn’t assume High Rank ought to rush him in his profession.
The Bedford, Ohio native Mason appears to be like like a can’t-miss future celebrity and a much better expertise than Shakur. High Rank invested cash in Shakur’s profession, signing him out of the 2016 Olympics, however he’s not gained over followers regardless of capturing three division world titles.
That cash was wasted as a result of Shakur’s recognition failed to extend, and he left High Rank lately in favor of signing with Matchroom. That marriage might not final if Shakur loses or his fights fail to draw curiosity.
Stevenson’s hit-and-not-get-hit preventing model isn’t entertaining for this era’s followers, who don’t benefit from the outdated Mayweather preventing strategy. That didn’t match this period’s followers, who like motion relatively than the peck-and-scat model that Shakur makes use of.
Mason, 5’9″, could be too huge and highly effective for Shakur, who can’t punch and regarded poor final November in his conflict in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos in Las Vegas. Shakur doesn’t appear to be he’s able to dealing with an enormous puncher like Mason.
It won’t be aggressive if that struggle occurs in two to a few years. Shakur’s profession may very well be on skidrow, very similar to Regis Prograis’ after subsequent 12 months, and he wouldn’t be price preventing.
It’s unknown the place Shakur’s profession might be after 2025. If #1 WBC contender William Zepeda destroys him in February, as many individuals imagine would be the case, a struggle between him and Mason may by no means occur. Shakur could be confronted with some robust selections in his profession about whether or not to remain at light-weight or transfer as much as 140 and attempt to reinvent himself.
Zepeda has already overwhelmed fighters who use the identical pull-back model that Shakur makes use of, and he made it look straightforward. He averages 100.2 punches thrown per spherical, and he hits arduous to the physique and head. Shakur may very well be doomed in opposition to Zepeda.
The three-year professional, Mason, is dealing with Yohan Vasquez (26-5, 21 KOs) in an eight-round struggle subsequent month on the undercard of Keyshawn Davis vs. Gustavo Lemos on November eighth on the Scopes Enviornment in Norfolk, Virginia. The occasion might be proven stay on ESPN+.
Greg Hackett: “For those who ever received the possibility, would you struggle Abdullah Mason?” stated Hackett to GBHTV.
Shakur Stevenson: “Sure, I believe Mason is a good younger fighter. I don’t assume they need to rush him. I believe that they’re doing precisely what they’re doing with him; High Rank is giving him the fitting fights. Yeah, he’s working his means up. He’s working proper. I respect him.
“Most likely 40 or 47,” stated Shakur about what weight he expects to finish up in his profession. “I used to assume I might get to 54. I ain’t grown in a minute. I’ve been slowing my progress spurt.”
Mason has been stealing the exhibits, preventing on Shakur’s undercards, and making him and Keyshawn Davis look dangerous with their performances.
