Shakur Stevenson insists he’s “the best fighter” on the February 22nd DAZN PPV card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - even though he’s buried five fights deep on the undercard.
He’ll defend his WBC lightweight title against Floyd Schofield in a matchup that has drawn scrutiny due to Stevenson’s recent performances against Artem Harutyunyan and Edwin De Los Santos. Still, he’s talking big, promising fans that “everyone wants to see” him put on a show.
Watch Shakur’s message to the haters: Watch
This is Stevenson’s first fight under a multi-fight deal with Eddie Hearn, who has taken criticism for banking on Shakur’s potential “global star” appeal. The question is whether Shakur’s cautious style can generate enough excitement to keep fans tuned in. Even though Shakur is a former featherweight and junior lightweight world champion known for his defensive mastery, he’s faced growing questions about his offensive output since moving to 135.
We wonder if Shakur’s skill set will shine through or if another risk-averse display will reinforce the doubts swirling around him. He’s facing a 22-year-old novice in Schofield, so there’s a chance to stand in the pocket and unload combinations instead of playing it safe. If he can deliver excitement, it could help validate Hearn’s investment and steer Stevenson back toward marquee matchups - possibly against the likes of Gervonta Davis.
The main event in Riyadh features a title rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, with names like Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker, Carlos Adames, Vergil Ortiz Jr., and Zhilei Zhang also on the stacked undercard. Despite the presence of these heavy hitters, Shakur believes he’s the real showstopper. Is he right, or does he have one more big statement to make before we place him in boxing’s elite conversation?
Prepare for the upcoming event here.
Image Credit: ESPN