Eddie Hearn wants Shakur Stevenson to move up to 140 to attempt to become a four-division world champion by facing WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez next. Hearn likes that fight for Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) to increase his popularity.
Shakur called out WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis repeatedly after defeating William Zepeda on July 12th in Queens, New York. Stevenson felt that the win was good enough for him to have earned a fight against Tank Davis. It’s questionable whether Hearn will deliver the Tank fight to him.
Last October, Teofimo said he didn’t want to fight Shakur because he was concerned that he would have a “mental breakdown” after he beat him. He was referring to how Shakur had become emotional after losing to Ruben Villa in 2015 in the amateurs. Shakur “wanted to go to the hotel’s rooftop and jump off,” said Teofimo.
Lopez Fight Doubtful for Shakur
Unless Lopez has changed his altruistic concern for Shakur, that fight will not happen. Hearn would have to go in another direction. He’s got Andy Cruz signed to Matchroom, and it would be an easy fight to make between Shakur and Cruz.
“I like the fight with Teofimo Lopez. I think he should move up and try to become a four-division champion,” said Eddie Hearn to the media about Shakur Stevenson.
Hearn has got to know that it would be next to impossible to get Teofimo to agree to fight Stevenson. It’s pointless for Hearn to raise the fans’ hopes by talking about wanting to match Stevenson against Lopez next.
“I think that’s another great fight,” said Hearn when asked about the possibility of Stevenson fighting welterweight Conor Benn.”We’ll see what happens with Benn and Eubank, and then go from there.”
It would be a good fight, but it appears that Benn is busy right now, trying to set up the rematch with Chris Eubank Jr.