Is Shakur Stevenson Afraid? Examining His Refusal to Unify Against Threats Like Andy Cruz and Raymond Muratalla

Shakur Stevenson says he’s not interested in attempting to become the undisputed lightweight champion. He states that fighters who have unified titles in the past haven’t become superstars.

Is Shakur Ducking Top Lightweights?

So, Shakur’s focus is on getting “the biggest fights”  and taking on the “best available” fighters. From there, he says, he’ll tell the fans, “I’m the best.”

The problem with that approach is that the best fighters are the ones who are poised to capture belts, Andy Cruz, Raymond Muratalla, and Raymond Muratalla. If Stevenson isn’t going to try and unify, it’s his way of swerving dangerous fights he would likely lose against those three.

“It ain’t about unifying the titles. It ain’t about undisputed. That s*** is cool. I seen a lot of people become undisputed like Kambosos [Note: Kambosos was NEVER undisputed]. They didn’t become no big superstars,” said Shakur Stevenson to Brian Campbell’s channel when asked about his thoughts on trying to become undisputed at lightweight.

The chances are high that Shakur would get beaten if he tried to unify the lightweight division against all the soon-to-be belt-holders. So, his dismissal of the need to try to capture the IBF and WBC is more about avoiding losses to Andy Cruz and Raymond Muratalla.

Stevenson’s Gervonta Davis Exception

Of course, Shakur will fight a unification match against WBA champion Gervonta Davis if Turki Alalshikh can arrange it, because the fight will pay mega-millions. So, even if he loses to Tank, he’ll be rich. At this point, Shakur’s biggest threats at lightweight are these three:

• Raymond Muratalla
• Andy Cruz
• Abdullah Mason

Undisputed: Shakur’s Avoidance Strategy

“I think right now it’s about fighting the biggest fights, fighting the best available [Josh Padley?] opponents, and beating them one by one and then letting it be known I’m the best at 135 pounds,” said Shakur.

How can Stevenson tell fans with a straight face that he’s the best fighter at 135 if he’s not going to unify the lightweight division against the killers? It sounds like Shakur is looking for an excuse not to fight Andy Cruz and Raymond Muratalla.