Stevenson Ready To Make The Tank Fight – ‘The Phone Lines Are Open’
Shakur Stevenson’s co-manager, Josh Dubin, is confident about making a fight with Gervonta Davis.
Davis was in talks to fight Vasily Lomachenko, with Bob Arum targeting a fight in November. Since then, things have changed. Loma’s manager, Egis Klimas, has confirmed the Ukrainian has no motivation to get in the ring at this time. Meanwhile, Bob Arum expects Loma to box next year on his return. That has left the door open for a Shakur fight. Tank’s co-trainer Kenny Ellis was hopeful of the fight, saying he wanted to see if Shakur would duck Davis. Now that Shakur is no longer tied to Top Rank, he has more flexibility. Dubin has said Stevenson is ready to enter into talks.
Stevenson Vs. Davis
“It’s all up to ‘Tank.’ The one thing about Shakur – he will take anyone you put in front of him. We’re here and waiting and ready to negotiate. We’ll know how realistic (Davis and PBC’s interest) is by how financially viable they make it for Shakur.
“They know Shakur produced the highest-rated ESPN card of the year (July 6), so they need to come correct. [We] have our phone lines open, ready for a call, and they have our numbers. It’s a fight Shakur really wants. He’s been begging for it for a long time. What Shakur wants to do – let me say it plainly – is to unify at 135. The logical fights to make that happen are to fight the champions,” Dubin said
If the Davis fight does not go ahead, there are other options. Even if the Ukrainian decides to avoid Davis, a fight with Lomachenko could still happen next year. Shakur had been chasing that fight during his time with Top Rank, but it never materialized. There is also the possibility of pursuing a unification with WBO Lightweight Champion Denys Berinchyk. That is still a step in the right direction, as Shakur has expressed his desire to become undisputed at 135.
Will It Happen?
Alternatively, the WBC has ordered Shakur to box William Zepeda. Oscar De La Hoya has said Shakur will only get that fight if he signs with Golden Boy Promotions. That is unlikely after De La Hoya ruled it out. Zepeda’s team appears keen on boxing Berinchyk for the belt.
A win makes any Shakur fight bigger since Zepeda would have leverage with a belt. Shakur’s ability to win and outbox his opponents have made him an avoided fighter. But his defensive style also does not help, making his fight less than appealing to the eye. But he is ready for all the smoke, provided the right fights are made.
“We couldn’t get a straight answer – and that was when Shakur was still under contract. We asked for that[Berinchyk] fight and they wanted to talk about a long-term contract. Shakur’s own enemy is his own greatness, and other peoples’ fear of him. But he has total trust in James and I and he’s also patient. Why would (De La Hoya) penalize his own fighter? You don’t issue edicts like that at the expense of your own fighter. The phone lines are open,” Dubin added
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