Coach Stephen Edwards says that if Shakur Stevenson gets the battle for which he insisted against Gerrvonta Davis, he should make it a ‘risk -free’ performance to prevent it from being cut.
Edwards doubts whether Shakur’s safety first, standing amateur style will be appreciated by the judges enough to make him a decision on WBA lightweight champion Tank Davis (30-0-1, 28 COs).
Stephen feels that the judges and fans in this era do not appreciate the fighting style used by WBC lightweight champion Stevenson (23-0, 11 COs). His only way to win is by decision. Shakur doesn’t hit him hard enough to try out Gevonta.
Mayweather -era against modern box
Despite the use of the outdated Mayweather-Esque fighter style, Shakur has won three divisional world titles. However, a big reason for this is that he did not fight great opposition to winning the belts. It would be a different story if Shakur now rises at the best at 126, 130 and 135. It is likely that he would come empty in each section unless he chose the worst champions.
“I don’t think the style of struggle that Shakur Stevenson will have to fight to win the fight, I don’t think it is appreciated enough in this era,” Stephen Edwards said Sean Zittel About the amateur hit-and-not-hit style used by Shakur Stevenson would not work with the judges for a fight against Gervonta Davis.
Shakur’s fighting style is from the Mayweather -era, and judges were more willing to tolerate that kind of style at the time. The sport has developed since Floyd, and the judges focus more power on power shots unless an A-his fighter. We saw that in Dmitri Bivol’s decision on Artur Betterbiev on February 22. If Biblical was not popular, he would have lost because Betterbiev landed the harder shots.
Stevenson must use his amateur struggle style, because he can’t hit hard enough to swallow Gevonta without being knocked out.
‘Risk -free’ plan
“I think he will have to fight a risk-free battle, points, a non-violent fight, let the fight fall and take no chances. He just has to score points like amateur boxing, ”Edwards continued on how Shakur Tank Davis should fight.
“Don’t try to put any power on your shots. Just touch Gervonta and get out of the fight. I think he can win, but I don’t think fighting style is appreciated enough to win. Shakur is not a big puncher, but he is good to hit the body. Gevonta Davis is a master-to-puncher. If you reach out to his body, he will cut you.
“I don’t know if the judges will appreciate Shakur enough. He would be a fool to try to change his style to fight Gevonta, because if he does, he could be cut and everyone was going to laugh at him, ”says Edwards.
The judges may not have to get the fight, because with the push of tank, he will pick up everything on everything he throws. He will not respect the power of Shakur as he did Lamont Roach because he can only generate punching power if he goes to the body. Stevenson is not crazy enough to target Gervonta’s body as against Josh Padley in their fight on February 22, as he will be counteracted with something great sooner or later.
Last updated on 03/06/2025
