Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion, recently made headlines by turning down a massive $15 million contract extension from his promoters at Top Rank. This decision has left his future in the boxing world uncertain, as he explores the possibility of becoming a free agent. Despite Top Rank offering a deal that would guarantee him a minimum of $3 million per fight, Shakur felt that this was not enough to secure his commitment.
As Shakur ventures into the free agent market, potential suitors are rumored to include Matchroom, PBC, and Mayweather Promotions. However, none of these options can guarantee success for the young champion, especially considering his recent performances. Since his win over Shuichiro Yoshino in April 2023, Shakur has struggled to deliver impressive results in the ring, raising doubts about his market value as a free agent.
While Shakur may attract interest from various promotional companies as a free agent, there are significant risks involved in signing him to a long-term deal. His lackluster performances against De Lo Santos and Harutyunyan have cast doubt on his ability to compete with top-tier fighters like Gervonta Davis or Vasily Lomachenko. This raises questions about whether Shakur is truly worth the multimillion-dollar contracts being discussed in the boxing world.
There is a growing belief within the boxing community that Shakur may not be suited for the lightweight division and could benefit from returning to lower weight classes like 130 or 126. While the paydays may be smaller in these divisions, Shakur’s size advantage could give him a competitive edge and help him rediscover his winning form. Comparisons have been drawn between Shakur and Adrien Broner, highlighting the challenges of moving up in weight and facing stronger opponents.
One of the main critiques of Shakur Stevenson’s fighting style is his perceived lack of power in his punches. This forces him to rely on movement and agility to outbox his opponents, which may not be sustainable against elite competition. Despite his recent victory over Artem Harutyunyan, Shakur’s inability to knockout his opponent raised eyebrows among boxing pundits and fans. Kenny Ellis, Gervonta Davis’ assistant coach, even suggested that younger fighters like Abdullah Mason may possess greater knockout potential.
Shakur Stevenson finds himself at a crossroads in his boxing career, facing uncertainty about his future path in the sport. While the allure of big-money contracts and high-profile matchups may be tempting, Shakur must reassess his fighting style and divisional placement to maximize his chances of success. Only time will tell whether Shakur’s gamble on the free agent market will pay off or leave his career in limbo.