Claressa Shields is commonly regarded as the greatest female fighter, both by herself and many fans.
During a stellar amateur career, the Michigan native won consecutive Gold Medals at two Olympic Games before turning pro and fighting to become a three-division champion, now undisputed in the super welterweight ranks.
She knows boxing well, and is always offering insight into the mens side of the sport, too. She did just that recently when asked by Marko Boxing who would come out on top in a tournament featuring Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez and Vasily Lomachenko.
There’s a ton of talent in that list, but Shields believes the fighter who is ahead of the rest is Stevenson.
“Shakur would come out on top. The only one who you could say, it would be out of Shakur and Devin or Shakur and Tank, but Devin and Shakur are phenomenal boxers, and then Tank just knocking people out left and right.
But let’s be real, Shakur getting hit 6% in his fights. These guys landing 6% on Shakur and he’s landing at over 50% power shots. When you landing like that and dudes can’t hit you back?”
Shields, who has sparred with 26-year-old Stevenson in the past, said he has the potential be the best fighter in the sport.
“Shakur’s the man. To me, he’s the next pound-for-pound, he’s the next Floyd Mayweather.”
Mayweather of course went undefeated in 50 pro fights, picking up belts in five divisions to cement his place in boxing’s Hall of Fame.
Stevenson is currently 20-0, and is looking to add a world title in a third weight class to his collection. That chance will come against fellow undefeated southpaw, Frank Martin, later this year.
The pair have recently agreed terms to fight for the vacant WBC lightweight title.