WBC president says Stevenson has “all-time” potential following latest victory and rise in weight
Mauricio Sulaiman has praised Shakur Stevenson after his win over Teofimo Lopez. The WBC president said the unbeaten champion has the potential to reach all-time status.
Sulaiman praised Stevenson’s overall skill set and pointed to the recent victory over Teofimo Lopez as another sign that the former champion continues to rise as he moves through weight classes.
“He’s a great fighter. He has it all,” Sulaiman said to Ring Champs. “He’s got the potential of all time. He’s a great fighter.”
Sulaiman said Stevenson’s ability has already been proven across multiple divisions, adding that the latest step up only strengthened the case around his standing in the sport.
The comments came when Sulaiman was asked whether Stevenson could eventually become the top pound-for-pound fighter in boxing. His answer was direct.
“I think so,” said Sulaiman. “He looks so good and strong at that weight class.”
Stevenson’s move upward has also become a major talking point after the Teofimo fight. Sulaiman said the new division appears to suit him physically.
At 28, Stevenson is now in the stage of his career where praise becomes expectation. Talent alone no longer separates him. The question is whether the fights ahead match the level people now see in him.
All time, Sugar Ray Robinson moved from welterweight to middleweight and fought the toughest monsters of his era without asking them to drain themselves to a husk. When you demand a rehydration clause, as Shakur has done with welterweight Conor Benn, you’re essentially saying you want your opponent to be at their weakest while you’re at your most comfortable.
Sugar Ray Robinson didn’t ask for a “rehydration clause” when he fought Jake LaMotta. He just went out and fought a much bigger, stronger man. If Shakur wants to be mentioned in that breath, he has to eventually take a fight where he isn’t the one dictating the physical handicaps.
Robinson didn’t ask for a “rehydration clause” when he fought Jake LaMotta. He just went out and fought a much bigger, stronger man. If Shakur wants to be mentioned in that breath, he has to eventually take a fight where he isn’t the one dictating the physical handicaps.
