Shakur Stevenson, whether due to insecurity, a victim mentality, or a genuine belief, responded to criticism about the nature of his recent victory by declaring himself as “the most hated man in the sport” on social media.
While it is blatantly false to consider it as a factual statement, it is nonetheless intriguing to witness Stevenson’s reaction and his belief that the driving force behind the response to his performances is hatred, rather than the actual truth: complete indifference.
Being despised as a boxer in 2024 is actually seen as a desirable achievement by some individuals. The reason behind this is that it brings attention, curiosity, and an emotional investment from the “haters,” which, if utilized correctly, can lead to tangible and financial rewards. Surprisingly, a despised fighter is considered one of the most captivating and intriguing commodities in the world of boxing, even if their fights are accompanied by boos instead of cheers. People are eager to witness their battles, specifically their defeats, and they pay attention to what they say solely to gather ammunition to use against them. While it may not be an ideal scenario, being hated is certainly preferable to the alternative of being ignored or overlooked.
In boxing, being ignored is equivalent to a death sentence. This is a concern for Shakur Stevenson, as his style and personality make it more likely for him to be overlooked rather than hated or discussed. Stevenson may recognize this and is taking proactive measures to ensure he remains relevant, especially as he enters a period of free agency after his contract with Top Rank expires. He has been active on social media since his decision win against Artem Harutyunyan, engaging in confrontations with anyone who dares challenge or criticize him, including fellow fighter Marcus Browne. Adopting a “Me against The World” mentality, Stevenson refuses to accept differing opinions and has made it clear that he will not change or alter his style to please armchair critics who want him to take more risks in the ring.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images captures Shakur Stevenson’s exceptional boxing skills as he outperforms Artem Harutyunyan in the ring.
On Sunday (July 7), Stevenson, 25, expressed his gratitude to his supporters and acknowledged his status as the most disliked figure in the sport. He also commended Artem for his efforts in the recent match, acknowledging his dedication. Stevenson thanked his fans for their unwavering support, emphasizing that he remains undefeated and determined to stay that way. He invited other fighters to step into the ring and assured them that he would be prepared and waiting. Lastly, he expressed his appreciation for both the positive and negative aspects of his journey.
Stevenson’s social media feed also featured messages directed towards his hero, Floyd Mayweather. Stevenson was spotted watching his latest victory backstage in Anaheim, where Mayweather’s protégé, Curmel Moton, was also fighting. The admiration between the two is easily understandable. Similar to Mayweather, Stevenson’s fighting style has divided opinions, but as he gained fame and stardom, it became inconsequential how he won his fights as long as he emerged victorious. Mayweather’s success was greatly aided by his ability to secure compelling matchups against formidable opponents, which brought out his best skills. This transformation elevated Mayweather from being known as “Pretty Boy,” an acquired taste with exceptional talent, to “Money,” a polarizing figure who eventually became the biggest attraction in the sport.
Stevenson, with a record of 22-0 (10), requires a similar change. The objective now is to evoke either love or hatred from the audience, and to achieve this, he acknowledges the necessity of facing renowned fighters – those with significant fame and influence. By doing so, Stevenson, a skilled technician, can finally make his challenging style comprehensible to the wider public. Boxing, after all, always needs to communicate a fundamental, instinctive, and readily understandable language to its spectators.
Until now, the notion of Stevenson evoking either adoration or disdain is merely a figment of the imagination. Presently, aside from a handful of negative tweets, the individual hailing from Newark has failed to captivate fans enough for them to be concerned about his achievements, let alone detest his image. Instead, the majority of fans remain unaffected and unenthusiastic. They lack the stimulation required to form strong opinions about Stevenson as a person or his fights as a source of entertainment.
In general, the boos heard when someone leaves are usually different from the boos heard before the event starts. The initial boos indicate involvement and some level of excitement, while the boos at the end, unfortunately typical in Stevenson fights, imply nothing more than boredom. This implies that the person you despise the most in the sport is not the one you express disapproval towards when they leave, but rather the one you express disapproval towards when they enter. The one you boo on the way out is the one you have no desire to watch again.
