Shakur Stevenson says individuals dislike watching his fights as a result of he “dominates” his opponents, they usually don’t wish to see these kinds of contests. WBC light-weight champion Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) feels that’s why followers hate watching him; he makes his fights so one-sided.
What’s fascinating is how resistant Shakur is to alter. He’s unwilling to adapt his model to change into fan-friendly and get the fights he desires. Stevenson could be doing himself a world of excellent if he appeared weak in opposition to Floyd Schofield and obtained dropped two or 3 times of their battle on February twenty second. That’s all it will take to get different fighters to face him.
Adjustments Shakur Wants
– Keep within the pocket– Throw extra punches– Give attention to energy– Cease working
Constructing a International Star
He signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom final summer time and can debut along with his firm in opposition to Floyd Schofield on February twenty second in Riyadh. Hearn thinks he can flip Stevenson into a world famous person. Nonetheless, that’s how the British promoter is when he indicators anybody.
We noticed the identical from Hearn when he inked Jaron Ennis, Richardson Hitchins, and Demetrius Andrade. None of these fighters have change into stars, and Hearn appears to lose his enthusiasm quickly once they fail to change into the superstars he hoped for.
We’ll probably see that quickly when Shakur performs poorly subsequent month in opposition to Schofield. Hearn will cease mentioning Shakur’s title, and he’ll be invisible.
Shakur, 27, is oblivious to why he’s disliked. He doesn’t have interaction, fails to remain within the pocket, and fights scared when he faces opponents with energy.
The one guys Stevenson dominates are sluggish, outdated fighters with marginal expertise and no energy. He’s routinely booed in his fights and lacks the recognition or preventing model to get the massive names to battle him.
Fan Perceptions
“They’re not simply watching it to look at for the knockout. They’ll take the knockout if it comes. They’ll adore it, however they like to see science, too, and I respect them for that too,” stated Shakur Stevenson to talkSport Boxing about British followers.
“I’m getting extra comfy with it [being labeled ‘boring]. You bought tor understand that each night time, it’s not going to be struggle. A mode like mine and a man like me, I’m very dominant. I simply go in and dominate. Folks don’t wish to see somebody go in and dominate.
“I’m sort of used to being the younger, hungry lion. Now, I’ve obtained one other younger, hungry lion that’s youthful than me. I positively don’t assume he’s hungrier than me,” stated Shakur in regards to the 22-year-old Floyd Schofield that he fights on February twenty second.
The Newark, New Jersey native Shakur might want to begin getting used to being the older fighter as a result of he’s getting up there in age, approaching 30. It gained’t be lengthy earlier than he’s one of many elder statesmen in boxing and could have a goal on his again. For fighters that depend on their mobility and reflexes, they don’t final lengthy within the sport.
Profession Path
“I attempt to get the massive names. I attempt to get the William Zepedas. I attempt to get the Vasily Lomachenkos. If I can’t get these guys, I’ve obtained to take the fellows which are subsequent in line. This can be a man that has been calling my cellphone on a regular basis,” stated Shakur.
Stevenson wouldn’t have hassle getting the massive names he talked about if he weren’t such a runner, afraid to have interaction, and getting booed out of arenas. Fighters like Lomachenko, Zepeda, and Gervonta Davis don’t need to need to chase a runner across the ring whereas being booed by followers. They wouldn’t be booed.
It could be Shakur, and it will be a cup of poison for individuals watching. You may’t blame the highest fighters for not wanting something to do with Stevenson as a result of he doesn’t come to battle.
Hesitant to Transfer Up
“After we get previous him [Schofield], I might say, Zepeda and Gervonta Davis,” stated Shakur about who he desires to battle in the remainder of the yr in 2025 after he defends in opposition to Child Austin. “I’m very comfy at 135 lbs. We’ll see after I conquer the division,” stated Stevenson when requested if he’ll transfer up in weight the way in which Floyd Mayweather Jr. did.
Shakur isn’t about to maneuver as much as 147 to tackle the killers in that division as a result of he can’t punch at 135, and he’s already proven that he’s deathly scared when preventing guys with energy.
Though there aren’t a variety of sluggers on the high of the welterweight division at the moment, fighters like Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, Eimantas Stanionis, and Brian Norman Jr. would feast on a weak, timid, finesse-level fighter like Shakur. He couldn’t run sufficient to maintain from attending to him. They’d deliver Stevenson in, hunt him, and destroy him in that order.
