Shakur Stevenson’s Triumph and the Road Ahead
WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson celebrated a significant victory last Saturday by stopping Josh Padley, a professional boxer who moonlights as an electrician, in the ninth round. This win marks the first of Stevenson’s two-fight contract with Eddie Hearn, Matchroom’s prominent promoter. Stevenson, now boasting a perfect professional record of 23-0 with 11 KOs, has set his sights on a much bigger prize: a fight against WBA 135-lb champion Gervonta Davis. The anticipation and excitement around this potential bout are palpable, but the hurdles to making it happen are substantial.
Eddie Hearn’s Strategic Moves
Eddie Hearn’s investment in Shakur Stevenson is clear, but the path to the lucrative Davis fight is fraught with challenges. Stevenson’s recent fights, particularly his bout against Edwin De Los Santos, have raised eyebrows due to the lackluster performance and the caliber of his opponents. Andy Cruz, the #1 ranked contender for Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title, has been noticeably absent from Hearn’s matchmaking discussions. This silence is telling, as a fight with Cruz, albeit less renowned, would be a more significant test of Stevenson’s abilities. Hearn’s strategy seems to be aimed at protecting Stevenson’s record to ensure a more viable matchup with the highly marketable Gervonta Davis.
The Financial Angle
The financial risk associated with a PPV fight between Stevenson and Davis is a crucial factor. Despite Stevenson’s impressive record and titles, he has yet to prove himself as a PPV draw. Most of the buys for such a fight would likely come from Davis’s side, known for his flashy style and significant fan base. Davis’s PPV numbers, while not stellar, have been bolstered by his high-profile bouts, such as his fight against Ryan Garcia. For Hearn, the Davis vs. Stevenson match is a potential cash cow, but it requires the financial backing of the Saudis to mitigate the risk. Without Turki Alalshikh’s interest, the fight remains a distant possibility.
Stevenson’s World Title Journey
Shakur Stevenson’s journey to becoming a three-division world champion is notable, but it has been marred by the quality of his opponents. He captured the WBC 135-lb belt from Edwin De Los Santos, the WBO 130-lb title from Jamel Herring, and the WBO 126-lb strap from Joet Gonzalez. While these victories are impressive on paper, the lack of top-tier competition diminishes their significance. Comparisons to Adrien Broner, who also won multiple titles against lesser-known fighters, highlight the promotional nature of Stevenson’s championship run. For true boxing aficionados, Stevenson’s titles are less about his skill and more about his promotional maneuvering.
The Importance of High-Profile Fights
Despite the skepticism surrounding his recent opposition, there is no denying Stevenson’s talent and potential. At 27, he is in his prime and has a strong amateur background, having fought against and defeated numerous top prospects. The next phase of his career should be focused on pursuing high-profile fights against the best in the lightweight division. Dan Rafael, a respected boxing analyst, emphasized this point in a recent interview with Ring Magazine: "He’s 27, in his prime, he’s a three-division world champion, he’s a super talented fighter. He’s got the background as an amateur and has fought a lot of good as a professional. Now, it’s about going after the biggest and best fights. Hopefully, they can make those matchups, whoever they’re against."
The Future of Stevenson vs. Davis
The potential showdown between Stevenson and Davis is one of the most anticipated fights in the lightweight division. Both fighters are American champions with significant followings, and a match between them would be a spectacle. The financial backing from the Saudis is essential to making this fight a reality, as it was in the case of Canelo Alvarez, who initially rebuffed offers from the Saudis but now has a lucrative four-fight deal with them. Rafael’s insights are telling: "Remember, it wasn’t too long ago when Canelo Alvarez said, ‘No, thank you. I’m not interested in doing anything with the Saudis.’ He was doing his own thing, and guess what? Now, he’s got a four-fight deal with Turki, and he’s fighting on one of their cards coming up in May, a planned September fight against Terence Crawford, and two more fights in 2026. In boxing, it’s typically about the money, and if the money is there, I’m sure you can get Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson in the ring together. If the money is there, any fight can get made."
The road to a Stevenson vs. Davis fight is paved with strategic decisions and financial considerations, but if the stars align, it could be a defining moment in both fighters’ careers.
