Shakur Stevenson says folks dislike watching his fights as a result of he “dominates” his opponents, they usually don’t wish to see these forms of contests. WBC light-weight champion Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) feels that’s why followers hate watching him; he makes his fights so one-sided.
What’s fascinating is how resistant Shakur is to alter. He’s unwilling to adapt his model to develop into fan-friendly and get the fights he desires. Stevenson can be doing himself a world of fine if he seemed weak towards Floyd Schofield and obtained dropped two or 3 times of their battle on February twenty second. That’s all it could take to get different fighters to face him.
Modifications Shakur Wants
– Keep within the pocket
– Throw extra punches
– Concentrate on energy
– Cease working
Constructing a International Star
He signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom final summer time and can debut along with his firm towards Floyd Schofield on February twenty second in Riyadh. Hearn thinks he can flip Stevenson into a worldwide famous person. Nonetheless, that’s how the British promoter is when he indicators anybody.
We noticed the identical from Hearn when he inked Jaron Ennis, Richardson Hitchins, and Demetrius Andrade. None of these fighters have develop into stars, and Hearn appears to lose his enthusiasm quickly once they fail to develop into the superstars he hoped for.
We’ll doubtless see that quickly when Shakur performs poorly subsequent month towards Schofield. Hearn will cease mentioning Shakur’s title, and he’ll be invisible.
Shakur, 27, is oblivious to why he’s disliked. He doesn’t interact, fails to remain within the pocket, and fights scared when he faces opponents with energy.
The one guys Stevenson dominates are sluggish, previous fighters with marginal expertise and no energy. He’s routinely booed in his fights and lacks the recognition or combating model to get the large names to combat him.
Fan Perceptions
“They’re not simply watching it to observe for the knockout. They’ll take the knockout if it comes. They’ll find it irresistible, however they like to see science, too, and I admire them for that too,” mentioned Shakur Stevenson to talkSport Boxing about British followers.
“I’m getting extra comfy with it [being labeled ‘boring]. You bought tor understand that each night time, it’s not going to be struggle. A mode like mine and a man like me, I’m very dominant. I simply go in and dominate. Folks don’t wish to see somebody go in and dominate.
“I’m type of used to being the younger, hungry lion. Now, I’ve obtained one other younger, hungry lion that’s youthful than me. I undoubtedly don’t suppose he’s hungrier than me,” mentioned Shakur concerning the 22-year-old Floyd Schofield that he fights on February twenty second.
The Newark, New Jersey native Shakur might want to begin getting used to being the older fighter as a result of he’s getting up there in age, approaching 30. It gained’t be lengthy earlier than he’s one of many elder statesmen in boxing and can have a goal on his again. For fighters that depend on their mobility and reflexes, they don’t final lengthy within the sport.
Profession Path
“I attempt to get the large names. I attempt to get the William Zepedas. I attempt to get the Vasily Lomachenkos. If I can’t get these guys, I’ve obtained to take the fellows which can be subsequent in line. It is a man that has been calling my telephone on a regular basis,” mentioned Shakur.
Stevenson wouldn’t have hassle getting the large names he talked about if he weren’t such a runner, afraid to interact, and getting booed out of arenas. Fighters like Lomachenko, Zepeda, and Gervonta Davis don’t wish to must chase a runner across the ring whereas being booed by followers. They wouldn’t be booed.
It will be Shakur, and it could be a cup of poison for folks watching. You’ll be able to’t blame the highest fighters for not wanting something to do with Stevenson as a result of he doesn’t come to combat.
Hesitant to Transfer Up
“After we get previous him [Schofield], I’d say, Zepeda and Gervonta Davis,” mentioned Shakur about who he desires to combat in the remainder of the yr in 2025 after he defends towards Child Austin. “I’m very comfy at 135 lbs. We’ll see after I conquer the division,” mentioned Stevenson when requested if he’ll transfer up in weight the best way Floyd Mayweather Jr. did.
Shakur isn’t about to maneuver as much as 147 to tackle the killers in that division as a result of he can’t punch at 135, and he’s already proven that he’s deathly scared when combating guys with energy.
Though there aren’t a variety of sluggers on the high of the welterweight division immediately, fighters like Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, Eimantas Stanionis, and Brian Norman Jr. would feast on a weak, timid, finesse-level fighter like Shakur. He couldn’t run sufficient to maintain from attending to him. They’d carry Stevenson in, hunt him, and destroy him in that order.

