Shakur Stevenson riled up fans with a social media post predicting Keyshawn Davis and Richardson Hitchins will become the two leading welterweights in boxing. Many fans quickly turned the focus elsewhere, questioning why so many elite fighters receive that label long before facing the division’s top contenders.
“Key and Af [Hitchins] the best fighters at 47 if I’m being honest and it’s crazy cause they the 2 that come up w me.. And this is an unproven statement, but argue w yo momma time gone tell just come back to this post in 3 to 4 years, and they gone fight each other too!! #HIM 👑,” Stevenson posted on X.
Shakur admitted he is looking well into the future, but his comments still drew criticism because neither fighter has accomplished much in the division. Keyshawn has yet to compete at 147 pounds. He’s negotiating a title shot against WBO champion Devin Haney despite never campaigning in that weight class. Hitchins made his debut there last weekend, beating fringe contender Ricardo Salas in a performance that left many viewers wanting more action.
His belief isn’t unreasonable. The current welterweight division lacks a dominant figure, creating an opportunity for fresh faces to rise over the next several years. Both Keyshawn and Hitchins possess the talent to contend for world titles if they continue developing.
The larger concern is boxing’s habit of anointing fighters before they have tested themselves against the leading contenders. Many observers have grown weary after watching champions and contenders proclaim themselves the top fighter while meaningful matchups never materialize.
Stevenson has encountered similar criticism. Some supporters already rank him at the top of the light welterweight class after a single appearance at 140 pounds. Yet several dangerous names remain outside his resume, including Ernesto Mercado and Gary Antuanne Russell. If his friendship with Hitchins influences future matchmaking, that contest may never happen either.
Time may prove Shakur correct. Keyshawn and Hitchins have the ability to reach the summit at 147. Most fans, however, are less interested in forecasts than they are in seeing top fighters settle those claims inside the ring against one another. Until that happens, declarations about who rules a weight class will continue to earn eye rolls instead of respect.
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Last Updated on 2026/07/28 at 11:44 AM
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