WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson has failed to satisfy in recent outings but appeared poised for a salivating meeting with either Gervonta Davis or William Zepeda before the end of the year. However, the three-division conqueror will not face either. Instead, he is being touted for a showdown with a surprising opponent.
Stevenson had been vocal in his disappointment after difficulty finding willing opponents and it seemed as though his prayers had been answered when a clash with Zepeda, who is ranked as the number one contender with all four sanctioning bodies, was ‘verbally agreed’.
Yet, on Stevenson’s social media, he has now confirmed that the Mexican has pushed the fight back to February 2025 but maintained that he will still remain active and return to the ring before the end of the year, possibly against Welsh two-time super-featherweight world champion Joe Cordina.
“Zepeda pushed it back. The fight will happen in February.”
“He [Cordina] was weak fighting at 130lbs, he is actually a really good fighter, he was just sucking himself down to make a weight that he shouldn’t have been making. I for sure wouldn’t take that dude lightly! But Zepeda don’t want to fight just yet so whoever it is gonna be, they gonna get this work.”
“If it’s not any of the top names/belt holders who clearly not interested in making a fight with me they [fans] are going to be mad. F**k it though, I’m staying sharp regardless #ChasingGreatness.”
As for alternate opponents that are possibly more in-demand with his American fanbase, Stevenson declared that he was happy to take on Raymond Muratalla ‘if Top Rank want to led them to him’, but ruled out the possibility of the long-awaited affair against IBF champion Vasyl Lomachenko.
“Loma just recently said no again. Come on now, signing with Top Rank isn’t the problem. Fighters have to say yes, that is it, that is all. Until then, we into making money so whatever is going to get me paid the most and make the most sense I’m down! #ChasingGreatness.”
Whilst Stevenson is left with limited options once again, Gervonta Davis will likely have less trouble finding an available opponent because of his status as one of the major pay-per-view draws in the sport. ‘Tank’ will headline a card in less than three months’ time but despite previous beliefs that an encounter between he and Stevenson is close, Davis finds himself at the back of the queue and will be made to wait until three fights’ time at the minimum.
Furthermore, there are suspicions that Davis will soon move up to the super-lightweight division on a more permanent basis than previous, adding further doubt as to whether the lightweight unification bout will ever be staged. Meanwhile, both will be eager to fight an ageing legend in Lomachenko when he is ready to return, in what could be perceived as an easier unification option and another possible delay.
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