Top Rank Boxing:
All things come and go. Hence is life. As fun as the run at TOP RANK BOXING has been for Shakur Stevenson, it seems like it’s coming to the end. At least that’s the vibes the spidey-sense is getting. The now three-divisional, two-division champion, and Olympic silver medalist has been brought along at a super slow pace. In itself it isn’t a bad thing. Just nine times out of ten Bob Arum works that way. And for the record, noone can argue that he doesn’t have the best young talent in the sport.
However, after putting away both Jamel Jerring and Oscar Valdez his trajectory should’ve had an incline in talent. Now true it takes two fighters to agree to fight. But with the way he talks on social media, there should be enough juice to find a bigger name opponent. In Arum’s defense though, you don’t want to rush talent where they can be damaged physically and mentally.
Stevenson is a young durable southpaw with a crisp jab. His speed is a gift given to the young, and has decent head movement. He’s learning to fight on his back foot, for which he’s been criticized for. But it’s a skill that’s needed in the sweet science. He can be too defensive at times in the ring though.
One massive positive for having him on the Top Rank roster is Arum runs solo shows out of Madison Square Garden, and Stevenson’s home of New Jersey. So the locals come out and support in full force. Could he sell out a T-Mobile Arena, or another large venue? He’s beyond talented, but sadly no. That has to be part of Arum’s decision making.
Stevenson’s a ridiculously huge favorite next Saturday at the Prudential Center versus ARTEM HARUTYUNYAN. He’s overly aggressive and with his lack of movement side to side, Stevenson should successfully defend the WBC lightweight strap for the first time before the fifth round starts.
Coming To The End At Top Rank
Stevenson’s at the ending of his contract. And even as Eddie Hearn has pointed out, Arum doesn’t renegotiate or renew contracts if he thinks your gone. Arum just totally stops pushing you. Hearn went on to say he should have been a commercial star by now. And that he wants to see Stevenson and Gervonta Davis fight. And Stevenson wants that too. Or so he says he does. But it’s a scrap too early to happen for him to have a legit chance.
Especially if he wants to ride the “TANK”, another name should be on his resume first. William Zepeda. The fellow southpaw has rim-rocking one-punch power. “El Cameron” has crazy cardio and also throws in bunches from all angles. However, he keeps his hands too low, and he tends to stay in range a lot. That high paced chess-match where he could win, would bring Stevenson from a fighter fans like to a fighter known to the casuals and the outsiders.
So if this journey is coming to an end, he’s learned some valuable lessons. Perhaps it would be Hearn to sign him to a deal. Who knows; maybe Oscar de la Hoya would surprise everyone and snag him.
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