Shakur Stevenson puts featherweight division on notice, defeats Tapia
Shakur Stevenson is an Olympic silver medalist who made his professional boxing debut last year. He has big hopes and dreams and foresees future bouts with Michael Conlan, Lee Selby, and Vasyl Lomachenko.
Shakur Stevenson is one of the hottest young prospects in the featherweight division and in all of boxing. He continued his climb up the ranks on Friday, Feb. 16, with a victory over Juan Tapia. He has high aspirations which include facing the toughest boxers. Recently, Stevenson talked to FanSided about where he sees himself in the future.
Stevenson has been boxing since he was five years old. He made a name for himself by winning a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. He’s 20 years old and is early in his professional career, but he’s been prosperous.
He currently has a record of 5-0, with two knockouts. He kicked off his 2018 campaign with a unanimous decision victory over Juan Tapia. This was Stevenson’s first eight-round fight, and he acquitted himself.
Stevenson hurt Tapia several times, but Tapia proved to be tough and absorbed Stevenson’s best shots. He won every round on all judges’ scorecards.
When asked how many fights he would like to have this year, Stevenson replied, “As much (sic) as possible. I think it will be like six. Hopefully, it’s six.”
Six is a high mark, but he wants to be on the fast track to his first title. When asked when he would like to challenge for his first world title, he quickly responded, “Next year. Most likely it will be sometime in the next two years, but I want it to be next year. I will be ready.”
Stevenson is a southpaw who has lightning quick hands. He’s a skilled boxer who likes to think inside the ring. He also has decent power in both hands as he demonstrated against Oscar Mendoza in December, stopping him in the second round.
Stevenson is developing at a rapid rate. He credits his increasing abilities to sparring with the likes of Vasyl Lomachenko and Terence Crawford.
“I sparred with him [Lomachenko] a lot for the Rigondeaux training camp,” said Stevenson. “I’ve been in there with Terence Crawford. This camp for this fight I did 10 rounds with Terence Crawford.” Stevenson added, “We were supposed to do six rounds but neither of us wanted to get out of the ring.”
Sparring with two of the best fighters in all of boxing is also bolstering Stevenson’s confidence.
“It gives me a lot of confidence,” said Stevenson. “I take all challengers because I feel like I’ve been in the ring with some of the best boxers in boxing right now. If I can hold my own in the ring with Lomachenko and Terence, I can demolish these guys in front of me.”
Within the next year or two, Stevenson’s level of opposition will likely increase. Michael Conlan is a rising featherweight prospect who is also promoted by Top Rank along with Stevenson. People anticipate seeing a matchup between the two, but Stevenson isn’t scared of Conlan.
“If he [Conlan] was in front of me right now, the only option he would have to beat me is being super aggressive and throwing a lot of punches,” emphasized Stevenson. “That’s the only thing he can do. There’s no way he could get into a thinking game or chess match with me.”
Conlan is not the only future opponent Stevenson has his sights set on. He thinks Lee Selby would give him very little trouble.
“If I was to hand pick anybody in that division and say that I want to fight them, I would say Lee Selby,” Stevenson said. “I feel like his style is meant for me. I like to box from the outside, and I feel like I could beat him at that game easy.”
While contemplating his future, Stevenson shared his ultimate goal in boxing‚— a matchup with Vasyl Lomachenko.
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“The only person that I see that I would love to fight later on down the line and that will push me to my limit is Lomachenko,” said Stevenson. “I feel like that’s a fight, later on when I’m developed enough, I would love that fight.”
In a candid moment of honesty, Stevenson revealed that he doesn’t think there is a threat to him in the featherweight division.
“There is no king in that division,” Stevenson said confidently. “If anything, Oscar Valdez fights the most out of all of them. Gary [Russell Jr.], he barely fights. Leo Santa Cruz, he barely fights. I barely see them in the ring.”
Stevenson knows he is a long way away from being developed enough for Lomachenko, but that’s where he thinks he will be in the next several years. He has all the potential to be a boxing superstar, but now, he just needs to put in the time and work.
Keep your eyes Shakur Stevenson’s career. He might be boxing’s next big thing.