Shakur Stevenson is arguably the one of the most talented fighters in the sport of boxing right now, with some observers of the belief that no one in and around his weight can beat him.
The Newark southpaw’s next opponent looks likely to be countryman Frank Martin after the WBC ordered the pair to fight for their vacant title given Devin Haney’s plans to move up to 140lbs.
Stevenson has spent a lot of time recently in Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre’s gym, and the trainer of Terence Crawford advised Martin to stay well away from the Olympic silver medalist.
In a recent interview with Boxing Social, he stated it would be “an annihilation” if he didn’t heed that advice.
“Shakur and Frank Martin would be an annihilation of Frank, because he’s not ready. If I was his team, I’d pass on that and get him more experience and move forward.”
Like Stevenson, Martin is an undefeated and seen as one of the most talented fighters in the division, though would go into the contest a significant underdog.
As always seems to be the case in boxing, however, promoter politics are at play that could potentially prevent the fight happening. Stevenson is one of the leading lights of Bob Arum’s Top Rank stable, whilst Frank Martin is signed to Al Haymon’s PBC.
If a deal is not able to struck between the two teams, the WBC will order purse bids, though it is unclear as of yet what the timescale will be on this.