Gervonta Davis' assistant coach, Kenny Ellis, has shown interest in WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson as Tank’s next opponent in November, following Vasily Lomachenko's decision to take the rest of the year off. The strategy seems to be to schedule the fight before Shakur’s popularity declines further. With recent lackluster performances against Artem Harutyunyan and Edwin De Los Santos, Shakur’s appeal among fans is waning, making it crucial to set up the match sooner rather than later.
Tank Davis fighting Shakur now could be a strategic move to capitalize on whatever marketability Shakur has left. In his last fights, Shakur faced boos from the crowd, indicating that his performances have not met expectations. If Tank’s team waits too long, Shakur might lose more of his fanbase, diminishing his value as an opponent for a high-profile fight.
Ellis expressed his frustration over Lomachenko’s withdrawal and hopes that Shakur will not back out. "He is straight ducking. Hopefully, Shakur won’t duck. People say Tank’s ducking Shakur, let’s see," Ellis told MillCity Boxing. This highlights the urgency in setting up a fight with Shakur to avoid another disappointing situation.
Despite Shakur's talent, his recent fights have shown that he might not have what it takes to become a major star. His fight against De Los Santos, for instance, failed to impress, leaving many fans disappointed. If he continues on this trajectory, his marketability will decline, and he will no longer be a valuable opponent for Tank Davis.
Even if the fight between Davis and Shakur happens now, it’s unlikely to reach the same level of excitement as Tank’s fight against Ryan Garcia, who has a significantly larger following on social media. Shakur’s following pales in comparison, and his attempts to market himself as a villain have not resonated well with fans. Thus, while a Davis vs. Stevenson fight might generate some interest among hardcore boxing fans, it won’t have the widespread appeal necessary to become a blockbuster event.
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