Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion, is set to defend his title against Artem Harutyunyan, but his eyes are already set on a bigger prize – Vasily Lomachenko. Stevenson has been vocal about his desire to face Lomachenko, questioning the latter’s courage and accusing him of avoiding a showdown. Despite Stevenson’s undefeated record and impressive resume, Lomachenko seems hesitant to step into the ring with him, leading to frustration on Stevenson’s part.
Stevenson’s attempts to goad other top fighters like Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis into facing him have been largely unsuccessful. Davis, in particular, has chosen to ignore Stevenson, citing his lack of popularity with fans. Stevenson’s image took a hit following a lackluster performance against Edwin De Los Santos, and his brash antics outside the ring have not endeared him to the boxing community. Despite his skill in the ring, Stevenson has yet to capture the hearts of fans and establish himself as a true star in the sport.
Stevenson’s strategy of calling out fighters like Lomachenko and Davis may be backfiring, as fans are not buying into his attempts to create hype around potential matchups. While Stevenson may believe that such bravado will help elevate his profile, it appears to be having the opposite effect. Simply boasting about his skills and taunting other fighters on social media is not enough to turn Stevenson into a pay-per-view attraction or draw in large audiences for his fights. Promoters may also be hesitant to invest in Stevenson if his marketability remains in question.
Despite his ambitions of facing top-tier competition like Lomachenko and Davis, Stevenson may find himself on the outside looking in. Lomachenko’s focus on negotiating a mega-fight with Davis could leave Stevenson out in the cold, with few options for significant matchups. While Davis has hinted at including Stevenson in his future plans, the timeline remains unclear. Stevenson’s reluctance to face other talented contenders in the division may also hinder his progress and limit his opportunities for growth.
Shakur Stevenson’s journey in the world of boxing is fraught with challenges and uncertainties. While he may possess the skills and potential to succeed at the highest level, his struggles with recognition, popularity, and creating a compelling public image have held him back. Stevenson’s confrontational approach towards other fighters may not be yielding the desired results, and he may need to reassess his tactics moving forward. Only time will tell if Stevenson can overcome these obstacles and carve out a lasting legacy in the sport of boxing.