After the Teofimo fight, Shakur says he plans to return to 135. He hasn’t committed to anyone yet, but he brought up Roach as an option again.
That’s where the criticism begins. There are fighters at lightweight who pose more danger to Shakur than Roach. O’Shaquie Foster is one. Abdullah Mason is another. Both would be tougher fights.
Again safer options
If Shakur chooses Roach instead, it will only reinforce what many fans already think. That his career was carefully managed from the start. The Teofimo fight at 140 already fits that pattern. It’s a big name, but not the most dangerous champion in the division.
“Lamont Roach. I wanted to fight Lamont. Me and Lamont were the fight to actually make happen, but the Teo fight was bigger,” Shakur told the Breakfast Club 105.1.
Fighting Roach after that will bring more backlash. Roach has not won his last two fights. Both ended in a draw. That doesn’t usually give someone a title shot.
Shakur also said he thought Roach beat Pitbull Cruz, but the fight was closer than that. Roach was dropped early and lost several rounds. What helped him was a point deduction against Cruz in round seven for a body blow, which came without a warning.
Greater threats at 135
Roach will challenge Shakur for the WBC lightweight title if the fight takes place. It would be his third consecutive title shot after failing to win the first two.
That’s where fans fight. Other contenders were waiting. Roach didn’t do enough to jump the line. If Shakur wants respect at lightweight, he needs to stop circling the safest options and start fighting the toughest.
