Top Rank CEO Bob Arum believes that the stumbling block in a potential fight between the self-proclaimed ‘face of boxing’, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, and two-division world champion, Shakur Stevenson, is just one man – and it’s neither of the fighters.
The lightweight division has arguably the most talent in the sport these days, with the likes of Davis and Stevenson joined by Devin Haney and Vasily Lomachenko. Despite that, not many fights between the top dogs have materialised.
With Haney set to move up super-lightweight and vacate at least one of his world titles, fans are hopeful that the three remaining superstars in the division will soon fight one another to crown a new 135lbs king.
In an interview with Seconds Out, Arum explained that the only reason that ‘Tank’-Stevenson hasn’t happened yet is due to Floyd Mayweather Jr, who has promoted and advised Davis for a large part of his career, even despite a public fallout earlier this year.
“Ask Floyd [why it isn’t happening].
I’m sure that Shakur would jump at the chance of fighting Tank because it is a big money fight, but it takes two to make a fight.”
For now, Shakur Stevenson’s next fight will be for the WBC Lightweight World Title, although whom his opponent will be isn’t as clear.
First, Lomachenko reportedly turned down a title bout with the Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist, but Frank Martin stepped up to the plate and seemed poised to fight the unbeaten 26-year-old, headlining a Thursday night card in Las Vegas this November.
Martin has now been pulled from the fight, leaving Stevenson without an opponent for his vacant title challenge. As of now, Edwin De Los Santos is rumoured to be the favourite to meet Stevenson in the ring, but William Zepeda may also be considered should he win this month.