WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson eliminated the first battle of his two-fold contract with Eddie Hearn last Saturday and stopped the electrician Josh Padley (15-1, 4 COs) in the ninth round. Now it is up to Hearn to deliver the money fight to Shakur (23-0, 11 COs) against WBA-135-Pond Champion Gervonta Davis next.
Hearn’s investment
If Eddie cannot deliver the tank fight for Shakur, it will be interesting to see who he is fighting. Shakur has only fought a decent name since he moved up to 135, Edwin de Los Santos, and he looked awful in that battle. Andy Cruz is the number 1 that is arranged The contender for WBC for Shakur’s belt, and Hearn was very quiet about the battle between them. You can guess why. Shakur is more beneficial for a fight against Tank Davis than the Cuba-born Cruz, which is not yet well known and has not yet received a strong promotional push through the match room.
Built for tank payout
If Hearn Cruz fights against Stevenson, he will probably defeat himself and ruin his dreams of fighting Tank Davis. He knows that Shakur is very defeatable, which is why he was so interested to fit him against Joe Cordina, Floyd Schofield, and then the electrician Josh Padley. A pattern of opposition is offered to Shakur, and this is clear He is protected So Hearn can fight the tank Davis.
Hearn needs Turki Alalshikh to be interested in fighting the tank against Stevenson because it is impossible without him. This would be too much of a financial risk because Shakur is not a PPV draw. All the purchase would come from Gervonta’s side, and his PPV numbers have always been on the low side of the spectrum, except for his fight against Ryan Garcia.
Shakur’s three-section title wins
-Lightweight: Edwin de Los Santos for WBC 135-B Belt
-Super Featherweight: Jamel Herring for WBO 130-Pond Title
-Veerweight: Joet Gonzalez, Win WBO 126 Pound Band
A star is manufactured
Stevenson’s three divisional world victories came against a poor opposition, devaluing his ties. Shakur’s world champion status of three divisions would mean more if he knocks on high-level fighters, but the three he beat are not guys at A level. These are the same things we saw from Adrien Broner, who won four divisional world titles by beating fewer fighters. For the naive fans born yesterday it is about promotional maneuvering be done for fighters like Shakur and Broner. How to produce a star 101.
“He is 27, first and foremost, he is a world champion of three divisions, he is a super talented fighter. He has the background as amateur and fought very well as a professional, ‘Dan Rafael says to Ring magazine. Now, it’s about going to the biggest and best battles. Hopefully they can make those games, whoever is against it. “
You can throw Shakur’s world titles with three divisions as important because he is not special enough to win the belts.
“Obviously, after the fight, he spoke that he wanted Tank Davis. He is on the same schedule as Shakur. Tank fights over a few days (against Lamong Roach this Saturday, March 1 in Brooklyn, New York). Of course, that would be a big fight.
“Shakur Against Tank is the biggest, most high profile fight you can now have between US champions. I think with the money available via the Saudi, any fight can take place.
At Matchroom HQ 📍 @Shakurstevenson @Eddiehearn pic.twitter.com/15y6diczpw
– Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 25, 2025
“Remember, it wasn’t too long ago when Canelo Alvarez said,” No, thank you. I’m not interested in doing anything with the Saudi. “He did his own thing and guess what? Now he has a four-match agreement with Turki, and he is fighting on one of their cards that shows up in May (against IBF Super Midweight Champion William Scull), a planned battle in September against Terence Crawford, and two more fights in 2026 .
‘In boxing it’s usually about the money, and if the money is there, I’m sure you can get Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson in the ring. If the money is there, any fight can be fought, ”Rafael said.
Last updated on 02/25/2025
