By Sean Jones: Frustrated at being ignored by Vasily Lomachenko in his callouts, the desperate Shakur Stevenson has chosen to disrespect the two-time Olympic gold medalist by labeling him “scary” for his decision not to fight him.
Shakur seems desperate, trying to shame Lomachenko into fighting him by showing him disrespect, dirting his own image in the process.
Stevenson is failing to see the big picture. He won’t get the fights he wants at 135, be it Lomachenko, George Kambosos Jr, Devin Haney, or Isaac Cruz.
A more professional way for Stevenson to try and get a fight with Lomaachenko would be to speak with his promoters at Top Rank. After all, that’s their job.
Showing class would be the more dignified way for Stevenson to undertake trying to get a fight with Lomachenko, Devin Haney, or Gervonta Davis rather than bad-mouthing them on social media.
At this point in Lomachenko’s ten-year professional career, it’s unclear if he’ll:
A. Retire
B. Stay at 135
C. Move to 130
D. Fight George Kambosos Jr.
E. Rematch Devin Haney
He was given a raw deal in Loma’s last fight, losing to undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney last May in a contest that the boxing world had him winning.
Stevenson has nothing to offer
There’s no money in a fight with Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs) for Lomachenko, and he doesn’t have a belt yet. The bigger payday for the 35-year-old Lomachenko is a stadium fight in Australia against George Kambosos Jr, which could potentially involve the IBF lightweight title if the sanctioning body strips Haney.
If the IBF doesn’t strip the belt from Haney, the quickest path for Lomachenko to capture a belt would be to face the defensive artist Shakur the WBC belt, which will become vacant once Haney steps in the ring to challenge Regis Prograis for his 140-lb belt in October.
Man @VasylLomachenko I used to have a lot of respect for u but u just as scary as everybody else I see.. U rather retire then get in the ring wit me? 😂🦆
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) August 8, 2023
There is no better options on the table for him @KlimasBoxing tell yo fighter drop his nuts and get in the ring wit me 🤨🦆
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) August 8, 2023
I never believed in Ghost but I’m right here I ain’t hard to find.. 😂 https://t.co/s8YfBXb5Ii
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) August 8, 2023
Stevenson needs to move up to 147
Shakur has struck out numerous times lately, trying to get fighters to agree to face him, but it hasn’t worked out well for him.
Nothing will change for Stevenson until he picks up a name, and the only way he can do that is by fighting the top guys, which isn’t going to happen at 135 or 140. He’ll be avoided in those weight classes.
He will continue to be ignored by the notable fighters until he becomes a star because right now, he’s not worth fighting because there’s little upside in facing him.
Like many fighters that are avoided in their weight classes, Shakur must move up to a different division if he wants to get the elusive big fights.
If Stevenson, 26, moves up to 140, he’ll likely have no problems getting a title shot against IBF light welterweight champion Subriel Matias. Other than him, Shakkur will be avoided.
The best option for Stevenson would be to move to 147 and face killers like Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, Eimantas Stanionis, and Keith Thurman for one of the belts once they’re fragmented.
However, Shakur probably won’t do that because he’ll take punishment, possibly get knocked occasionally, and won’t dominate like he’s doing now.