Rising Star in Super-Lightweight
Shakur Stevenson has been making waves in boxing after his dominant victory over Teofimo Lopez, claiming the WBO super-lightweight title and becoming the third-youngest four-division world champion in history. His performance has sparked debates about where he ranks in the pound-for-pound hierarchy, especially following Terence Crawford’s retirement. While Stevenson has impressed fans worldwide, he still lacks an undisputed title, making it hard to crack the very top of the rankings.
A Surprising Choice for His Main Rival
When asked who he sees as his closest competitor, Stevenson gave an unexpected answer. Rather than naming an opponent he could face in the ring, he pointed to his longtime friend and former WBO lightweight champion, Keyshawn Davis.
“Me and Keyshawn Davis are the best boxers in the sport right now, if you ask me. It’ll never happen, but honestly, if you’re asking for the other guy, that’s the guy,” Stevenson told Inside The Ring. The two fighters have trained together for years, pushing each other to improve, but a professional bout between them is considered virtually impossible.
The Financial and Organizational Hurdles
Davis is currently the number one WBO super-lightweight contender, yet Stevenson has joked that it would take an astronomical payday—half a billion dollars—to make the fight happen. The WBO is also unlikely to mandate the contest anytime soon, as Lopez recently completed his mandatory defense of the title by defeating Arnold Barboza Jr. last May. For now, the boxing world can admire Stevenson’s skills while acknowledging the unique friendship that shapes his perspective on the sport.
