By Jim Calfa: Bob Arum says he’s putting Shakur Stevenson in a position to capture a belt after undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney moves up to 140 in 2023 following his title defense against Vasyl Lomachenko.
Boxing fans would like to see Stevenson matched against Haney before he moves up to 140, but Arum didn’t mention that fight as being possible.
The 25-year-old Stevenson (19-0, 9 KOs) is the next great talent to be moved into the slot as the #1 fighter in the lightweight division, followed closely by the 23-year-old Keyshawn Davis.
Arum says Shakur will be fighting in March. He didn’t mention who the opponent will be for the former two-division world champion, but it’s safe to say that it won’t be Frank Martin, William Zepeda, George Kambosos Jr, or Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz.
Thus far, none of the top guys at 135 has expressed interest in fighting Stevenson, and you can’t blame them because it would end badly. Frank Martin (17-0, 12 KOs) would be an excellent choice for Shakur to fight, but his promoter Errol Spence Jr isn’t going to throw him in with Stevenson and watch him get dominated.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get him in a position where he’ll be able to fight for the lightweight title because Devin [Haney] is soon to go up to 140 after the [Vasyl] Lomachenko fight, and that’ll open up 135 for Shakur,” said Bob Arum to Boxing Social.
“He’s a massive talent,” Arum continued about Stevenson. “There are so many incredibly talented kids in the sport of boxing. We’re getting such great athletes. Nice young men that don’t abuse their position, and Shakur is a great talent.
“Now, he’s built a massive following in his hometown of Newark, which is across the river from New York, Newark, New Jersey. So, he’ll be coming back in March, and I can’t wait to be there.
“Sure, that’s always a possibility,” said Arum when asked if there’s a possibility of a fight in the future between Devin Haney and Shakur. “Making an in-house fight is always a lot easier than dealing with another promoter.
“But again, either way, these guys are going to have big fights, interesting fights, and great careers. And then all the young uns that are a few years behind like Keyshawn Davis. I never saw a kid that reminded me so much of Sugar Ray Leonard when he’s in the ring. But it’s true,” said Arum.