It has quickly become a well-worn phrase but one thing many in boxing agree upon is that Shakur Stevenson could be the future face of boxing.
Stevenson’s proposed bout with Frank Martin later this year has fallen by the wayside, but Stevenson, 20-0 (10) has talent to spare and is following in the exceptional footsteps of his friend and mentor Terence Crawford.
Top Rank’s Brad Jacobs has witnessed the development and growth of Stevenson since Shakur turned pro after the 2016 Olympics.
“Yeah, I think he’s becoming the face of boxing, and certainly the future,” said Jacobs of the 26-year-old Newark starlet. “Right now I don’t see anyone that can beat him, but this is boxing, this is why guys get in the ring. You never know what happens on the night and there’s all these other potential fighters for him to fight, so hopefully he’ll have a long reign here.”
With the Martin fight off the menu, Stevenson’s next step is yet to be revealed, but it was hoped he would meet Martin in November or December.
The lightweight division is one of the most talent-rich in the sport, and there are big fights north if Stevenson replicates Crawford’s rise through the divisions.
Will Stevenson stay at 135lbs to land the big fights?
“Yeah, at least for the time being,” said Jacobs.
And will he get the big fights, even against the likes of PBC’s major player Gervonta Davis?
“Whatever the biggest fight is, we’re willing and able to make it, and we’ve shown in the past, we’re able to as you say, cross the street, and make things happen,” Jacobs added. “And, in boxing when there’s a big fight to happen, it finds a way to get done.”
Stevenson-Davis would be huge, and it would be an excellent fight. It’s the sort of bout that would probably entice the new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to get a foothold in boxing. Are Top Rank hoping to become the first promoters to stage a show at the Allegiant?
“I mean, for the right fight, we’d love to do it,” Jacobs said. “Also ‘we’re] looking at The Sphere, which is a new arena in Vegas, so the right event comes along, yeah we’d be thrilled to do it.”
