WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson has responded to calls for him to sign with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) in order to make the biggest fights happen and truly emerge as the superstar that many feel he has the ability to become.
At just 26-years-old, Stevenson is an Olympic silver medallist and a three-division world champion but still the undefeated champion faces heaps of criticism for his defensive style and even briefly retired as a result of the hate he received when winning the WBC 135lb title.
However, the slick southpaw is still many fans’ favourite to follow in the footsteps of Devin Haney and dominate the division, with Gervonta Davis forever linked with a move up in weight to pursue major names in the sport.
Before that happens on a permanent basis and ‘Tank’ leaves the lightweight scene for good, fans are demanding a clash between the hard-hitting WBA champion and the hard-to-hit WBC champion, but there seems to be little hope of ever seeing the all-American unification showdown.
On social media, Stevenson responded to comments from Davis’ coach who reportedly claimed that, if he really wanted the fight he would ditch Top Rank and sign with Davis’ promoters – PBC, a move that Stevenson refused to rule out.
“If I sign with PBC they gone make the fight happen right away or I gotta wait 6 fights down the line for it to happen? Or is that a way to keep me from grabbing the belts? Lol I really don’t know what I’m gone do but I’m tryna understand somebody ask Coach Kenny for me or do he not know because he just a coach.”
“I ain’t signing nun [nothing] long term tbh fam so whenever the fight need to be made it can be made at any given time.”
In a recent exchange between the pair, Davis revealed that Stevenson is included as part of his plans in a multi-fight deal with the PBC and displayed his confidence in the proposed bout after supposed success against his rival during sparring. Yet, before talks can truly progress, both men have fights scheduled.
Davis will defend his WBA lightweight title for the first time when he takes on Frank Martin on June 15th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, topping a bill that features David Benavidez Jr., with what has fast become a grudge match with his unbeaten dance partner.
Meanwhile, Shakur Stevenson will make his maiden defence of the WBC strap when he returns to his hometown on Newark, New Jersey on July 6th and faces Artem Harutyunyan, with the WBC super-featherweight title on the line in the co-main event – where O’Shaquie Foster is tasked with Robson Conceicao.
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