Shakur Stevenson says he’s ready to push for a fight against Gervonta Davis next if he’s victorious in the title defense of his WBA lightweight belt against Lamont Roach in their bout this Saturday, March 1st at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
(Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
The Smell of Desperation
It might be a waste of time for Stevenson to continue calling out Gervonta because it makes him sound desperate like he’s begging for table scraps, and he has nothing going for him career-wise. Tank’s constant pressuring makes Shakur look like his focus is getting a big payday in a fight he knows he can’t win. It’s so off-putting when a person is needy the way Shakur is.
Stevenson hasn’t beaten anyone good since moving up to 135 two years ago, and it seems clear that he doesn’t have the talent to defeat the best guys in the division; hence, he’s pushing nonstop for the Tank Davis mega-payday before he gets beaten by one of the contenders. Shakur’s promoters may have told him to call out Gervonta 24/7, knowing he was not good enough to create his path to stardom.
Stevenson’s style is not suitable for becoming a star. He lacks power and is not physically rugged enough. His hands have been breaking down since moving to the 135-lb weight class.
“He’s got a fight next week. It seems like he’s focused on me, and Lamont Roach is focused on him. I think I’m going to put my bet on Roach,” said Shakur Stevenson last Saturday night to the media, talking about Gervonta Davis instead of his much-criticized performance against Josh Padley.
“Yeah, it’s the two best fighters in boxing,” said Shakur when asked if he’ll push for a fight against Tank Davis next if he wins his fight against Roach. “Tank Davis is a hell of a fighter. I keep telling y’all he has great skills, but I’m better than him. I’m better than him at hit-and-don’t-get-hit, and he can’t beat me.
No Top-Tier Victories
WBC 135-lb champion Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) feels he’s done enough to set the table for the Tank Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) fight by beating #12 Josh Padley by a ninth-round knockout last Saturday night in Riyadh and defeating Artem Harutyunyan by a twelve-round unanimous decision on July 6th last year.
Those aren’t high-level fighters, but it’s what Shakur’s promoters have been willing to match him against after his close call against Edwin De Los Santos. After Stevenson’s performance, his promoters went in the opposite direction, focusing on fringe contenders.
“Tank’s style: he’s a power puncher. He’s a guy that is trying to knock you out. I’m a guy that is trying to break you down and pick you apart. When the knockout comes, it comes. It’s two different styles, but I’m better than him in the art of boxing,” said Stevenson.
Last Updated on 02/23/2025
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