By Elliot Worsell
There are two things that we are aware of. Firstly, it is evident that Shakur Stevenson’s brilliance can be both captivating and exasperating, making him an acquired taste. Secondly, it is apparent that his time with Top Rank, his current promoter, is limited due to his niche appeal.
In the world of boxing, victory alone is not always sufficient to succeed and maintain success. Promoters place significant importance on the way a boxer achieves victory, rather than just the fact that they win. Additionally, fans, who ultimately shape a promoter’s decisions, require a boxer to possess more than just the ability to accumulate wins, regardless of the entertainment value it may bring.
For years, there has been a strong desire from both the promoter and fans to see Stevenson, a 27-year-old hailing from Newark, New Jersey, bring not only perfection but also entertainment to the table. Despite the rarity of these two elements coexisting in a sport like boxing, the expectations of his audience and those who pay him seem unaffected.
Therefore, this coming Saturday (July 6), he will once again be under the expectation to not only emerge victorious against Artem Harutyunyan, but also to do so in a manner that satisfies any skeptics of his previous fight-winning techniques. Specifically, he must display an effortless, commanding performance that leaves no room for doubt.
In Las Vegas, Shakur Stevenson confidently outperforms Edwin De Los Santos, impressing with his showboating skills. (Photo credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
It is of course Stevenson’s prerogative how he wins fights. Keep winning and he will hold on to his WBC lightweight crown and he will also continue making money and put himself in a position to fight the kind of names who could, who knows, elevate him to that next level in terms of status and marketability. This happened with Floyd Mayweather, another divisive fighter who wasn’t winning fights in the “right way”, long before Stevenson came around. Indeed, for Mayweather what really got things going, moving him from “Pretty Boy” to “Money”, was the influence of opponents like Arturo Gatti and Oscar De La Hoya, both of whom acted as the ideal foil for a boxer whose goal was always winning as opposed to entertaining.
Stevenson, with his impressive record of 21-0 (10), has a promising future ahead. This is mainly due to his association with renowned fighters such as Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, and Ryan Garcia. Any of these three talented individuals would make an excellent opponent for Stevenson, and their presence alone could potentially bring out his utmost potential. By facing such formidable opponents, Stevenson has the opportunity to prove himself as a worthy champion and attract significant investments in his career.
Currently, it seems that there are individuals who have not yet made up their minds on this matter. Even Top Rank, his own promoter, seems unsure about whether or not they will continue to work with Stevenson after his upcoming fight, which is the final one in his current contract with them. If they decide not to, Stevenson will naturally become a free agent, and at that point, he will have many potential suitors and the chance to find a new home elsewhere.
At this point, it appears highly probable. Stevenson himself has stated that Top Rank has essentially advised him to explore other options in the market, suggesting that other potential suitors may have similar concerns about his box office appeal as Top Rank does.
It is possible that this is true, but it is clear that the relationship between Stevenson and Top Rank is damaged. Since they arranged a title fight for George Kambosos against Vasiliy Lomachenko, which Stevenson had strongly advocated for, he has felt ignored, undervalued, and disrespected by them. Although Stevenson may have come to terms with the fact that he couldn’t change that particular situation, he understands that he is solely responsible for his reputation and appeal to fans. This is why his upcoming fight against Artem Harutyunyan is crucial, both in the present (keeping his title) and the future (securing profitable opportunities). Winning against Harutyunyan on Saturday night is important, but it is not sufficient. This is because the fight was not requested by anyone and because Shakur Stevenson is now more than ever showcasing his skills in hopes of catching the attention of potential supporters who will recognize the value he brings.
