Shakur Stevenson can’t get p4p #1 with Lopez, Roach

Shakur Stevenson posted a cryptic message on social media and said he wanted his ‘place’. He seems to talk about either 1 pound-by-pound or a more lofty goal of being considered the best fighter in the sport. In theory, Shakur can reach the peak. But he will have to make many changes in these areas:

1. Opposition: Shakur cannot become a pound-by-pound with him fighting like Josh Padley, Artem Harutyunyan and William Zepeda. He will have to take risks, and it is questionable whether he has the tools to do so.
2. Win at the highest levels: That means beating the predators at 135, such as Andy Cruz and Abdullah Mason.

Theofimo Lopez and Roach won’t be enough

Reaching one of these will be difficult for Shakur (24-0, 11 COs) without the ring voting him #1, without having to prove that he is worthy of the place in an absolute sense. He will have to do more than beat Theofimo Lopez and Lamont Roach to achieve the top position in the pound-by-pound ratings. He is currently #8 in the ring’s pound-by-pound list.

Why Stevenson’s safety-first style hurts him

Shakur’s safety first fighting style does not echo with casual boxing fans, nor the wider American public. The average fan wants to be entertained, and Stevenson’s hit-and-run approach doesn’t work with them. He is wonderful to stay busy, place on X regularly and pump himself up. But his fighting style is seen as too outdated.

I want my place so bad I have to grab it

– Shakur Stevenson (@shakurstevenson) September 28, 2025

To come to #1 without doing political favors because Stevenson loves some people very much, he will have to beat these talented lightweights:

• Andy cruz
• Raymond Muratalla
• Abdullah Mason
• Floyd Schofield
• Herrera Cores
• Sam noakes

Since Shakur showed zero interest in the fight against Cruz, Mason, Herrera or Muratalla, it would be almost impossible for him to be raised to a pound-for-pound, which is less considered the best fighter in the sport.

Instead of Shakur freezing his lightweight belts to fetch a salary against theofimo at 140, he must remain next against Andy Cruz and defend. The 2020 Olympic gold medal, Cruz, beat Shakur’s close friend Keyhawn Davis four times in the amateurs. To avenge Keyshawn’s defeats must be a priority for Stevenson instead of focusing on money.

If Stevenson will return to his fight against the WBO Light Welterweight champion TheOFIMO in early 2026, he will have to focus on the above fighters. Lamont Roach is not nearly enough to grab or be seen as the best fighter in box.

No one is going to take Shakur seriously when he beats theo and Roach, and then tries to convince the fans that he is the best fighter in the sport. He would sound stupid, and he looked at a fake and tried to cut angles.

Stevenson’s CV does not have elite positions

Stevenson is already calling himself the best fighter in the lightweight division after beating William Zepeda, Josh Padley and Artem Harutyunyan in his last three fights. It is not the top of the tree fighters at lightweight.

For Stevenson to name himself the best at 135 after beating the fighters, what his strategy is. He doesn’t try to fight against the risky guys, Andy Cruz, Mason or Muratalla. He targets secondary fighters and then tries to convince the public that he is the best without actually fighting them.

Can politics give the pinnacle?

Even if Stevenson gets a peak in a controversial political move one of these days, it will not make fans consider the best. To be seen as best by the wider public, Shakur will have to tackle the best guys.

Written by Nation Vegas, and boxing analysts that have been covering world title fights since 2013.