Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says the fights that Shakur Stevenson wants right now against Emanuel Navarrete and Vasily Lomachenko aren’t available right now due to those fighters taking advantage of world title opportunities to battle for vacant lightweight titles.
Arum feels that WBC 135-lb champion Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs), who retired recently out of frustration of not getting the fights with Loma and Navarrete, needs to be patient because those matches will be there for him in time.
In the meantime, Bob says there are a lot of interesting fights available to Shakur at lightweight, and he can take advantage of them. Although Arum doesn’t say specifically who Stevenson can fight, these are his best bets if he chooses to come out of retirement:
- Raymond Muratalla
- Keyshawn Davis
- Edwin De Los Santos: *rematch
- George Kambosos Jr.
- Nahir Albright
- Andy Cruz
Stevenson’s Desire and the Navarrete – Berinchyk Hurdle
“Shakur wanted to fight [Emanuel] Navarrete, who is the 130-lb [WBO] champion, now moving up to 135,” said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to Fighthype, talking about the retired Shakur Stevenson, who still holds the WBC lightweight title.
It’s questionable whether Arum can deliver Navarrete for Shakur, though, as his management isn’t going to take that fight unless there’s a lot of money available.
“Navarrete was ordered if he wants to fight for a title [vacant WBO 135-lb belt] to fight [Denys] Berinchyk, which the fight will happen.
Lomachenko’s Lure and the Kambosos Clash
Then, as far as Lomachenko is concerned. Loma got a bigger offer; we got a big offer for Loma to fight Kambosos for the IBF [lightweight] title in Australia [on May 12th], which he took.
“Shakur is the WBC [135-lb] champion. There are plenty of good fighters for him to fight. Obviously, down the road, we’ll be able to do a fight between Shakur and Lomachenko if he’s successful with Kambosos or with Navarrete if he becomes the WBO 135-lb champion.
Arum Preaches Patience
“Everything takes patience. Now, Shakur is a tremendous talent, and with a lot of tremendous talent, they become impatient,” said Arum. “They want everything today or tomorrow. That’s not the way it happens in boxing.
“So, I understand his [Stevenson] frustration, but I also understand that now that he’s had time to reflect, he realizes that he’s got to be patient and the big fights will come to him,” said Arum.
