By Hans Themistode March 27, 2023
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Shakur Stevenson’s patience will undoubtedly be tested. After slicing through his overmatched foes at 130 pounds, Stevenson was forcibly kicked off his championship throne.
Heading into his showdown against Robson Conceicao in September of 2022, Stevenson’s coronation was promptly being organized. One fight prior, the former Olympic silver medalist pilfered Oscar Valdez’s WBC crown, adding it to his WBO title. Yet, with the 25-year-old failing to make weight, he was immediately stripped.
Though he was initially despondent, Stevenson (19-0, 9 KOs) shrugged off his weight struggles before opting to move up to 135 pounds. In his lightweight debut, Stevenson will officially take on Shuichiro Yoshino on April 8th, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Winning his upcoming bout, in Stevenson’s view, is somewhat of a formality. But while he isn’t looking past Yoshino, Stevenson is taking a peek ahead.
Devin Haney, the division’s lone undisputed champion, is reportedly set to defend his WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA titles against Vasiliy Lomachenko on May 20th. If the Las Vegas resident keeps Lomachenko at bay and rolls to victory, Stevenson would love nothing more than to challenge him next.
Nevertheless, Haney has flirted with the idea of moving on to the super lightweight division following his Lomachenko clash. If, however, Haney were willing to protract his stay just a bit longer, Stevenson would jump at the opportunity to challenge him next.
“Honestly, after his fight with Lomachenko, if he’s willing to stay and I get a shortcut to getting all the belts at once, I’m down with that,” said Stevenson to Thaboxingvoice.
Stevenson, before giving Haney his undivided attention, knows good and well that his hopes and dreams could be pushed by the wayside if he doesn't take care of business come April 8th. In addition to Yoshino holding an undefeated record, he’s fresh off a violent knockout victory against Masayoshi Nakatani.
Still, regardless of his recent string of success, Stevenson is viewed as a gargantuan favorite. Ultimately, whether anyone else likes it or not, a matchup between himself and Haney feels more like a matter of when, not if, in Stevenson’s eyes. With their names intrinsically linked, the former 2016 runner-up is flat-out convinced that when the dust clears, both his name and Haney’s will remain.
“I know that Devin Haney is a tough opponent. I feel like me and him was bound to fight and meant to fight. Whether it’s right now or later. We’re two top-level fighters. When the time is right, we gonna pop it off.”
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