“I owe myself my word about that nigga? I don’t got no loyalty towards him like I said Lamont Gary and Muratalla are all better options then fighting a 130 pounder.. If I’m gone be hated regardless I don’t owe yall shit either keep hating I’m gone continue to elevate,” Shakur said on X.
The comments followed a FightHype interview in which Stevenson questioned what Foster has accomplished at lightweight. Rather than embracing the matchup, he pointed to Lamont Roach, Gary Antuanne Russell, and Raymond Muratalla as more appealing opponents.
The rivalry has been building since May 30, when Foster successfully defended his WBC super featherweight title against Raymond Ford, who trains alongside Shakur. The two exchanged words after the fight, and Foster later challenged Stevenson to meet him at either 135 or 140 pounds.
When a high-profile fighter enters the ring, trades words, and verbally agrees to a match on live television, it creates interest from fans. Walking away from it afterward by brushing off Foster as just a “130-pounder” makes the whole ring-entry moment look like a theatrical performative. It gives off the impression that Shakur was quick to grab the spotlight in the heat of the moment, only to pull a bait-and-switch once the cameras stopped rolling and actual fight negotiations came up.
Verbally during that ring confrontation, Shakur said yes on live television and told Foster they could fight at 135 or 140 pounds.
On paper, however, nothing was ever signed. Despite that heat-of-the-moment agreement, Stevenson never followed through with actual contract negotiations for Foster. He instead moved past the option, signed a new deal with Zuffa Boxing, and shifted his sights toward targets like Devin Haney.
Shakur’s latest remarks leave little doubt about where he stands. By repeatedly referring to Foster as “a 130 pounder,” he continues to argue that the fight lacks the value of other available matchups despite Foster’s willingness to move up in weight.
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