By Dan Ambrose: Shakur Stevenson was livid last Saturday at finding that ESPN had put together a ranking for the super featherweight division, and surprisingly they didn’t include him anywhere in the top 10.
It’s unclear who put the list together for ESPN, but it appears they have forgotten about Stevenson (15-0, 8 KOs), who is ranked #1 with the WBC and the WBO.
You can give a person a pass for overlooking Stevenson’s #1 ranking with one governing body, but not for two.
ESPN’s top 10 rankings at super featherweight:
1. Oscar Valdez
2. Joseph Diaz Jr.
3. Tevin Farmer
4. Jamel Herring
5. Miguel Berchelt
6. Masayuki Ito
7. Rene Alvarado
8. Andrew Cancio
9. Leo Santa Cruz
10. Lamont Roach Jr
“S*** is crazy. I agree with you, though. My own Network and promoter tripping out now too,” said Shakur Stevenson in reacting to ESPN’s top 10 at super-featherweight.
It’s unlikely that Top Rank has anything to do with the super featherweight rankings put together by ESPN.
You can argue the person that put together the list might have done it before Stevenson moved up to 130.
Still, what makes it clear that the ESPN list was made recently was Oscar Valdez placed at the top at the #1 spot. Miguel Berchelt was previously the #1 guy at super featherweight until his 0th round knockout loss to Valdez last February.
What’s interesting is that Santa Cruz, Roach, and Berchelt were all recently beaten. You would think that Shakur would be ranked ahead of those guys, but perhaps the person or persons that created the list aren’t impressed with his talent.
Shakur wants Jamel Herring next
Stevenson is hoping that he can get a title shot against WBO 130-lb champion Jamel Herring next.
Although Herring mentioned wanting to fight WBC champ Oscar Valdez, next, the World Boxing Organization president Paco Valcarcel says he “MUST” face Stevenson next.
“Outstanding performance by our U.S. Marine, Jamel Herring. Congratulations to our 130 lbs World Champion! Now he must face the winner of the Shakur Stevenson – Jeremiah Nakathila bout scheduled for June 12,” said @PacoValcarcel.
The WBO will need to step in and order Herring to defend against Stevenson next because if not, it looks like he’ll face WBC champion Valdez (29-0, 23 KOs).
Stevenson will be facing #2 WBO Jeremiah Nakathila (21-1, 17 KOs) n June 12th. The fight still hasn’t been announced yet by Top Rank, but it appears that it’s next.
It could be a dangerous one for Stevenson, as Nakathila is a big puncher. It isn’t going to be a walk in the park by any means for Shakur.
“Y’all, this is Valdez Manager. Do they think I don’t exist or something? I’m #1 in the WBO and WBC. How the hell y’all think y’all fighting without fighting me?” said Shakur Stevenson on Twitter in reacting to Oscar Valdez’s management wanting to make a fight with Jamel Herring.