Two-time world champion turned boxing analyst Tim Bradley believes Shakur Stevenson is destined to take over the super-featherweight division.
Former featherweight king Stevenson (15-0, 8 KOs) faces Namibian contender Jeremiah Nakathila (21-1, 17 KOs) for the WBO’s Interim crown at 130lbs in Las Vegas this weekend as he pursues a clash with the sanctioning body’s reigning champion Jamel Herring or even WBC title holder Oscar Valdez.
Stevenson, Herring and Valdez are all promoted by Top Rank so, in theory at least, any combination of that trio could meet in the near future. Whilst an admirer of all three fighters, Bradley feels the pure skillset of Stevenson will emerge victorious in any confrontation.
“I love Valdez. I love what he did in his victory against Miguel Berchelt, I thought it was unbelievable. It was unreal. Great style. Great fighter. Hall of Fame-level fighter. I love Herring as well. Great southpaw, a true champion. Coming off his best win of his career against Carl Frampton back in April,” Bradley told ESPN.com.
“But none of these guys, I feel, pose a threat to Stevenson right now. Even with him only 15 fights into his career, I believe that he is a better fighter than all of these other champions at 130lbs right now.
“A KO win [against Nakathila] will have fans clamouring for a fight against Valdez, or Herring, or any other champion in this division. It will put pressure on all of the champions in the division as well – Gervonta Davis included – to step up and fight Stevenson.
“Ultimately, I think Stevenson steps up and gets the job done against Nakathila, and I’d be surprised if this fight goes past the eighth round.”