Shakur Stevenson is widely viewed as one of the most talented fighters in all of boxing, and some believe the Newark southpaw’s name will go down alongside some of the best ever to do it by the time he hangs up the gloves.
Stevenson will have the chance to become a three weight world champion aged just 26 later this year, as he takes on Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant WBC lightweight world title in November.
Before his attention turns fully to preparing for De Los Santos however, the Olympic silver medalist found time to reveal who he believes is the best fighter of all time in a recent interview with Million Dollaz Worth Of Game.
“You can’t really pinpoint one greatest of all time, just because of the fact it’s opinionated. In my opinion, as of right now, I’d go with Floyd [Mayweather]. Because that’s who I seen in my generation.”
“But other people who may be older than me could say Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson – that’s who I’ve heard a lot.”
It is hard to argue against Stevenson’s selection of Mayweather. He is widely regarded as the best fighter of this millennium retired with a perfect 50-0 record, and boasts wins over the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya.
The mention of the iconic Muhammad Ali should also come as little surprise. His trilogy with Joe Frazier and ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ against George Foreman are part of boxing folklore, not to mention his stunning upset win over Sonny Liston which catapulted him to super stardom in the early 1960s.
Sugar Ray Robinson may not be the most familiar name to younger fight fans, however you would be hard pressed to find any self respecting boxing historian who does consider him one of the very best of all time. He ended his storied 25 year career with a mind bending record of 174 wins, 19 losses and 6 draws, putting the activity of certain modern fighters to shame.