July 25, 2023 Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Before Shakur Stevenson kicked in the front door at 135 pounds, the former Olympic silver medalist viewed George Kambosos Jr. as the sort of fighter he should eventually take on. Not anymore.
Just a year ago, the name Kambosos had some serious weight behind it. The newly turned 30-year-old pilfered practically every major world title from Teofimo Lopez and was considered the man to beat in the weight class. Back-to-back defeats at the hands of Devin Haney, however, quickly changed that narrative.
Ultimately, while Kambosos was dominated, Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs) still believed that he was a major player. So, with the former unified champ making his return against Maxi Hughes this past weekend, Stevenson grabbed a ringside seat and paid close attention. If Stevenson’s trip to Shawnee, Oklahoma, was a scouting expedition, he believes that it was practically a gigantic waste of time. Following 12 rounds between the two fringe contenders, Stevenson was of the belief that Hughes did more than enough to get the win. Nevertheless, with Kambosos being given the majority decision victory, Stevenson was dumbfounded. Although at one point Stevenson viewed a future clash against Kambosos as inevitable, after watching him up close and personal, Stevenson now has no interest in sharing the ring with him.
“With all due respect to dude, he not on my level,” said Stevenson on his social media account. “I want the top dogs. He a pup.”
Stevenson’s need to clear the air on a potential future showdown between them stems from the back-and-forth shouting match they had shortly after Kambosos’ win.
The Aussie native walked around media row with his newly won IBO title, proudly pontificating that he’s still at the top of his game. Stevenson, who just so happened to be nearby, found himself face-to-face with Kambosos. It took Stevenson only a few seconds before he was hurling curse-filled tirades in the direction of Kambosos, going as far as to say that he would “beat the shit” out of his man.
With his mind a bit clearer, Stevenson realizes that he made somewhat of a mistake engaging Kambosos to that extent. Currently, the 26-year-old is more interested in facing the division’s other elite fighters and considers a fight against Kambosos as a step in the wrong direction. “It ain’t no point of entertaining that. We just ran into each other, that's all.”
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