Promoter Eddie Hearn was on his soapbox once more, telling the media how nice Shakur Stevenson is and stunned that he’s not already an “American celebrity” forward of his combat in opposition to William Zepeda on July twelfth. The Matchroom promoter simply doesn’t get it. He thought he’d discovered pure gold when he signed Shakur, and he’s tormented that he’s not panning out.
Hearn is attempting to create curiosity in WBC light-weight champion Shakur (23-0, 11 KOs) for his combat in opposition to Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) to make a case for him battling Gervonta Davis later this 12 months. Lots is determined by how Stevenson performs on July twelfth, whether or not he wins, and if he can achieve this with out working.
It’ll additionally come down as to if Turki Alalshikh desires to be concerned in serving to make the Tank Davis vs. Shakur combat. With out his involvement, it’s questionable whether or not Gervonta will need to hassle with combating Stevenson. He received’t need to chase him throughout the ring if he received’t interact. He’s going to need to look golden in opposition to Zepeda. That’s the place it begins.
“I’ve been saying that he’s top-of-the-line promoters within the sport, and I believe he’s confirmed himself nicely,” mentioned Shakur Stevenson to YSM Sports activities Media about Eddie Hearn.
Why Shakur Isn’t a Famous person
“We’ve solely began working collectively. So, give me an opportunity,” mentioned Hearn about Shakur. “I mentioned it about Shakur earlier than we represented him. These guys, Terence, they need to be American superstars due to the flexibility they’ve acquired. The excellent news is he’s [Shakur] 27.”
Mayweather Period Boxing Model
Shakur and Terence Crawford aren’t superstars as a result of they’ve a boring, outdated combating type from the traditional Floyd ‘Cash’ Mayweather period of boxing. Should you discovered a working time machine, caught Shakur and Crawford in it, and despatched them again to the late Nineties and early 2000s, they’d match proper in. However on this fashionable period of the game, they’re oddballs. Should you’re boring, you’re invisible on this period. You should entertain. You probably have a boring type, you’ll by no means be a star. It’s higher that Hearn perceive that sooner relatively than later, as a result of he can save some huge cash by not signing Shakur to an extension after his combat in opposition to Zepeda.
If Hearn desires to show Shakur right into a celebrity, he can transfer him to England, have him undertake a pretend British accent, and match him in opposition to the fighters over there. Perhaps he could be adopted by the Brits as considered one of them. I doubt it, however that’s his greatest likelihood.
Eventually, Hearn should acknowledge that he’s chosen an albatross to attempt to rework right into a celebrity. He can’t power Individuals to need to watch Shakur. And no quantity of glazing Shakur goes to do the job both, as a result of U.S followers hearken to Hearn assume he’s nuts when he’s slathering the reward on Shakur.
“The loopy factor is, think about being a three-division world champion and by no means breaking a sweat. Take a look at what he did to [Oscar] Valdez [in 2022],” mentioned Hearn. “I used to be watching as a fan. I didn’t know sooner or later we’d get to work collectively, however I’m watching it going, ‘I can’t consider how good this younger man is.’”
Shakur didn’t combat ok opposition at 126 and 130 in his title wins for him to need to work onerous. His combat in opposition to Joet Gonzalez for the WBO 126-lb title in 2019 resembled a sparring session. It appeared like Joet wasn’t attempting onerous to win. They appeared extra like associates than foes.
Shakur’s De Los Santos Wrestle
In Stevenson’s combat in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos, he undoubtedly broke a sweat as a result of he was working across the ring, trying stressed after taking huge pictures early within the contest. Shakur got here near dropping.
Followers Booed Stevenson’s Efficiency
The judges gave him a 12-round determination, nevertheless it wasn’t spectacular. The followers on the T-Cellular booed Shakur from the fourth spherical on, and continued to boo him when he was interviewed contained in the ring after. Even when Stevenson was strolling to his dressing room, the followers continued to boo him. I’d by no means seen something prefer it. Hearn should not have seen that combat as a result of Shakur appeared apoplectic contained in the ring, being chased by De Los Santos all night time.
“He’s the one who ought to be getting mobbed, not me. I’m only a fats promoter from Essex. That is the celebrity. That is one thing that every one you fighters dream of getting expertise like this. You’re taking a look at pure greatness with this younger man,” mentioned Hearn.
Shakur hasn’t performed sufficient to be a celebrity within the U.S. Capturing titles at 126 and 130 didn’t impress the boxing public as a result of the opposition Stevenson fought, and the divisions weren’t notably in style with Individuals. He captured his WBC light-weight title in an unsightly trend, transferring continuous in a slim determination over Edwin De Los Santos.
Shakur’s World Title Wins
126: Joet Gonzalez – WBO130: Jamell Herring – WBO130: Oscar Valdez – WBC135: Edwin De Los Santos – WBC
Boxing Information 24 » Stevenson vs. Zepeda: Shakur’s Probability at Stardom
Final Up to date on 05/27/2025
