Shakur Stevenson posted a cryptic message on social media, saying he wants his “spot”. He appears to be talking about either #1 pound-for-pound or a more lofty goal of being viewed as the best fighter in the sport. In theory, Shakur can attain the top spot. But he’s going to have to make a whole lot of changes in these areas:
- Opposition: Shakur can’t become #1 pound-for-pound with him fighting the likes of Josh Padley, Artem Harutyunyan, and William Zepeda. He’s going to have to take risks, and it’s questionable whether he’s got the tools to do that.
- Win at the highest levels: That means beating the predators at 135, like Andy Cruz and Abdullah Mason.
Teofimo Lopez and Roach Won’t Be Enough
Attaining either of those will be difficult for Shakur (24-0, 11 KOs) without The Ring voting him #1, without him having to prove he’s worthy of that spot in an absolute sense. He would have to do more than beat Teofimo Lopez and Lamont Roach to grab the top spot in the pound-for-pound ratings. He’s currently ranked #8 in The Ring’s pound-for-pound list.
Why Stevenson’s Safety-First Style Hurts Him
Shakur’s safety-first fighting style doesn’t resonate with casual boxing fans nor the wider American public. The average fan wants to be entertained, and Stevenson’s hit-and-run approach doesn’t work with them. He’s great at staying busy, posting frequently on X, and pumping himself up. But his fighting style is seen as too outdated.
I WANT MY SPOT SO BAD I GOTTA GRAB IT
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) September 28, 2025
To get to #1 without being done political favors due to Stevenson being well-liked by some, he would need to beat these talented lightweights:
- Andy Cruz
- Raymond Muratalla
- Abdullah Mason
- Floyd Schofield
- Jadier Herrera
- Sam Noakes
Given that Shakur has shown zero interest in fighting the likes of Cruz, Mason, Herrera, or Muratalla, it’s going to be almost impossible for him to be elevated to #1 pound-for-pound, much less being viewed as the best fighter in the sport.
Instead of Shakur freezing his lightweight belts to go pick up a paycheck against Teofimo at 140, he should stay and defend against Andy Cruz next. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz beat Shakur’s close friend, Keyshawn Davis, four times in the amateurs. Avenging Keyshawn’s defeats should be priority one for Stevenson instead of his being focused on money.
If Stevenson is going to return to lightweight after his fight against WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo in early 2026, he would need to focus on the above fighters. Facing super featherweight Lamont Roach isn’t nearly enough to grab the #1 pound-for-pound spot or be seen as the best fighter in boxing.
No one is going to take Shakur seriously if he beats Teo and Roach, then starts trying to convince the fans he’s the best fighter in the sport. He would sound silly, and he looked at as a fake, trying to cut corners.
Stevenson’s Resume Lacks Elite Opposition
Stevenson is already doing that by calling himself the best fighter in the lightweight division after beating William Zepeda, Josh Padley, and Artem Harutyunyan in his last three fights. Those are not the top of the tree fighters at lightweight.
For Stevenson to be calling himself the best at 135 after beating those fighters, it shows what his strategy is. He’s not trying to fight the risky guys, Andy Cruz, Mason, or Muratalla. He’s targeting secondary fighters and then trying to convince the public that he’s the best without actually fighting them.
Can Politics Hand Shakur the Top Spot?
Even if Stevenson is given a top spot one of these days in a controversial political move, it’s not going to make fans view him as the best. To be seen as the best by the wider public, Shakur is going to need to take on the top guys.
Written by Nation Vegas, Boxing Analyst covering world title fights since 2013.
Last Updated on 09/29/2025
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