Lightweight star Shakur Stevenson’s reputation appears to be growing by the fight, with the 26-year-old looking more impressive and adding more nuances to his game each time he steps into the ring.
So strong has Stevenson looked that he has found it difficult to convince some fighters to get into the ring with him, despite himself being seemingly willing to take on all comers.
That is, apart from three boxers – and it’s not because he’s scared of them.
In a recent interview with Mill City Boxing, Stevenson explained why he would not be willing to step into the ring with Terence Crawford, Keyshawn Davis or Richardson Hitchins due to the friendship he has with them.
“There are three people in boxing that I wouldn’t fight. I already gave their names. Terence isn’t around my weight, but Keyshawn and Richardson, I wouldn’t even fight them.”
“Because I’ve got a lot of love for them. When you’ve got to fight somebody and go through training camps, your energy is in to not liking this dude and beating this dude up!”
“I ain’t trying to take any food off their table, and I don’t want them to take any food off of my table either.”
Stevenson is back in the ring next month, when he takes on Dominican contender Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant WBC world lightweight title.
The former Olympic silver medalist had been due to take on countryman Frank Martin, however Martin and his team withdrew from the negotiations.