As Shakur Stevenson prepares for his upcoming bout against Edwin De Los Santos on ESPN, he continues to amplify the fight’s promotion by frequently mentioning popular boxers Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis. This strategic name-dropping might be a clever ploy to draw attention to a matchup against a lesser-known De Los Santos, but it also raises eyebrows as Shakur seldom mentions his actual opponent in depth during interviews.
Stevenson has even floated the possibility of moving up to 140 pounds to chase a potential fight with Haney, provided the financials are agreeable. However, the likelihood of a Haney vs. Stevenson fight materializing seems slim due to anticipated financial and negotiation roadblocks.
Despite these speculative future matches, the immediate focus remains on Shakur’s size and his capability to move up in weight classes with ease, a trait highlighted by his recent side-by-side with welterweight champion Terence Crawford. As the fight night looms, Stevenson's focus is questioned by some fans due to his outward obsession with Haney and Davis, rather than the imminent threat posed by De Los Santos.
Stevenson’s commentary suggests a strong belief in an eventual showdown with Davis, highlighting Davis’s competitive nature. Yet, skeptics deem such a fight unlikely, citing Stevenson’s safety-first approach which may not align with the entertainment value brought by Davis and other dynamic fighters in the division.
As Stevenson touches on the topic of weight classes, he confidently discusses his ability to compete at higher weights, having sparred with heavier opponents throughout his career. Yet, his ambitions to fight the top names at lightweight and super lightweight may confront the harsh reality of boxing politics and business strategies.
In the end, Stevenson’s pre-fight narratives and his ambition to face big names like Haney and Davis could either be seen as a fighter’s confidence or a clever distraction from the challenge immediately ahead. Only his performance against De Los Santos will tell if these discussions were merely promotional tactics or a true forecast of his career trajectory.
Image Credit: Sky Sports