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WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson acquired the primary struggle of his two-fight contract with Eddie Hearn out of the way in which final Saturday, stopping the electrician Josh Padley (15-1, 4 KOs) within the ninth spherical. Now, it’s as much as Hearn to ship the cash struggle to Shakur (23-0, 11 KOs) in opposition to WBA 135-lb champion Gervonta Davis subsequent.
Hearn’s Funding
If Eddie can’t ship the Tank struggle for Shakur, it will likely be fascinating to see who he fights. Shakur has solely fought one first rate identify since shifting as much as 135, Edwin De Los Santos and he regarded horrible in that struggle. Andy Cruz is the #1 ranked contender at WBC for Shakur’s belt, and Hearn has been very quiet about making a struggle between them. You possibly can guess why. Shakur is extra useful money-wise for a battle in opposition to Tank Davis than the Cuba-born Cruz, who isn’t well-known but and isn’t being given a powerful promotional push by Matchroom.
Constructed for Tank Money-out
If Hearn lets Cruz struggle Stevenson, he’d possible beat him and break his goals of preventing Tank Davis. He is aware of Shakur may be very beatable, and that’s why he was so fascinated with matching him in opposition to Joe Cordina final October, Floyd Schofield, after which the electrician Josh Padley. A sample of opposition is being provided to Shakur, and it’s clear that he’s being protected so Hearn could make the Tank Davis struggle.
Hearn wants Turki Alalshikh to take an curiosity in making the Tank vs. Stevenson struggle as a result of it’s not possible with out him. It could be an excessive amount of of a monetary threat as a result of Shakur isn’t a PPV draw. All of the buys could be coming in from Gervonta’s aspect, and his PPV numbers have all the time been on the low aspect of the spectrum apart from his struggle in opposition to Ryan Garcia.
Shakur’s Three-division Title Wins
– Light-weight: Edwin De Los Santos for WBC 135-b belt– Tremendous Featherweight: Jamel Herring for WBO 130-lb title– Featherweight: Joet Gonzalez, successful WBO 126-lb strap
A Star is Manufactured
Stevenson’s three division world title wins have come in opposition to lackluster opposition, which devalues his holding belts. Shakur’s three-division world champion standing would imply extra if he beat high-level fighters, however these three he’s crushed aren’t A-level guys. This is identical stuff we noticed from Adrien Broner, who received 4 division world titles by beating lesser fighters. For the naive followers born yesterday, that is all about promotional maneuvering being accomplished for fighters like Shakur and Broner. Learn how to manufacture a star 101.
“He’s 27, in his prime, he’s a three-division world champion, he’s a super talented fighter. He’s got the background as an amateur and fought a lot of good as a professional,” mentioned Dan Rafael to Ring Journal. Now, it’s about going after the most important and finest fights. Hopefully, they’ll make these matchups, whoever they’re in opposition to.”
You possibly can throw out Shakur’s three-division world titles as being necessary, as he’s not particular sufficient to win these belts.
“Clearly, he talked after the struggle that he needs Tank Davis. He’s on the identical schedule as Shakur. Tank fights in a number of days [against Lamong Roach this Saturday, March 1st in Brooklyn, New York]. That will be an enormous struggle clearly.
“Shakur in opposition to Tank is the most important, most high-profile struggle you may make proper now between American champions. I feel with the cash out there through the Saudis, any struggle can occur.
“Keep in mind, it wasn’t too way back when Canelo Alvarez mentioned, ‘No, thank you. I’m not fascinated with doing something with the Saudis.’ He was doing his personal factor, and guess what? Now, he’s acquired a four-fight take care of Turki, and he’s preventing on one among their playing cards developing in Might [against IBF super middleweight champion William Scull], a deliberate September struggle in opposition to Terence Crawford, and two extra fights in 2026.
“In boxing, it’s typically about the money, and if the money is there, I’m sure you can get Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson in the ring together. If the money is there, any fight can get made,” mentioned Rafael.
