Arum: Shakur Could Face Tank Or Loma
Shakur Stevenson could face the winner of Gervonta Davis or Vasiliy Lomackeno should the latter two fight.
That is according to Bob Arum. Arum has revealed that talks over a Davis-Loma fight have already begun. Tank targeted Loma following his recent victory against George Kambosos Jr. Lomachenko, who won the vacant IBF Lightweight Title, to set up a possible unification. Davis is also coming off a win, as he stopped Frank Martin to become the WBA Lightweight Champion. Shakur was the other name mentioned alongside Loma at the post-fight press conference.
Shakur is seen as Davis’ toughest test at 135. Stevenson is undefeated and a three-division champion. His stock has only dropped recently following his performance against Edwin De Los Santos. Despite winning a unanimous decision to become the WBC Lightweight Champion, Shakur’s defensive style made it a poor event. Stevenson was booed, as he later revealed he had a hand injury. Now, he has one fight left on the Top Rank deal as he looks to explore his free agency. His next fight is against Artem Harutyunyan on July 6. If he gets past that, Shakur will target either Loma or Davis.
Shakur’s Next Steps
“Shakur is a tremendous fighter. He’s got a tough fight [against Artem Harutyunyan] coming up on July 6th, but certainly if the Tank-Lomachenko fight is made, Shakur will take another fight about that time and be available to fight the winner. Shakur is a tremendous talent, and whoever wins the Lomachenko-Tank fight, I’m sure, would like to fight Shakur after that,” Arum said
Arum’s comments are a strategic way to keep Shakur open to the idea of a new deal. Stevenson is only considering being a free agent because he cannot secure the big fights. A deal with PBC would take him a step closer to making the Tank Davis fight. PBCs are known for keeping fights in-house. A deal with DAZN may also make the Devin Haney fight easier. Although Haney is a free agent, he aligns himself with DAZN, making that possible.
Shakur’s Future
A new deal with Top Rank could make the Loma fight. Loma is 36 years old and at the latter end of his career. That could make the Loma fight Stevenson’s way of becoming a bigger star. Lomachenko would by far be Shakur’s biggest win on his resume. Shakur had been linked with the Loma fight when the WBC belt was vacant. However, Loma took the rest of 2023 off after the Haney loss, as Shakur faced De Los Santos instead. Based on his prior comments, Shakur wants the smoke.
“Loma can’t do nothing with me, I promise you that. That’s why they will never let me punch on him. The same way they saved Pacman from Bud. I respect yo fighting style I respect that you are a legend what I don’t respect is your willingness to not fight me.. People from the Ukraine is build wit Bravery within don’t hide behind Top Rank because that’s is not brave on your end,” Stevenson said
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