Bob Arum, the esteemed promoter and boxing savant, recently opened up about a potential blockbuster fight between the reigning WBC lightweight champion, Devin Haney, and undeniably talented, Shakur Stevenson in Saudi Arabia. In an interview with iFL TV, Arum discussed the possible outcomes of this fierce showdown, floating the possibility of a matchup between Shakur and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, another seasoned pugilist, for good measure.
“The fight game is all about excitement, and undoubtedly, having two fierce competitors like Shakur and Gervonta, or even Shakur and Haney is what audiences want,” says Arum. “They’re young, they’re hungry, and they’re selling fights. Especially when we’re looking at international venues like Saudi Arabia, there’s a lot of potential for generating interest.”
Arum’s interest isn’t without reason. Saudi Arabia has been making quite a name for itself as a stage for globally appealing boxing fixtures. It has previously hosted iconic matches like the ‘Clash on the Dunes’ between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. and now looks to capitalize on its rising sports legacy with a clash between superstars such as Stevenson and Haney.
However, comments from Arum also brought news regarding Haney’s latest pay-per-view numbers, which he deems as ‘poor.’ “Haney’s pay-per-view numbers haven’t been impressive,” Arum told the talk show. “That’s not entirely his fault, of course; he’s pitted against several high-profile fights on the same nights. It takes away from his audience.”
The exact figures haven’t been officially released, but Arum’s comments highlight some concerns about pay-per-view attracting boxing audiences. Haney, however, is not letting this slow him down. The WBC title holder is preparing rigorously for an all-important match on his horizon – a potential clash could happen this year, assuming negotiations with Teofimo Lopez’s camp go smoothly.
This brings us to the pivotal topic of Teofimo Lopez’s return – something Arum positively confirms. Many boxing pundits were edgy about Lopez’s future in boxing after he was diagnosed with COVID-19. It led to his IBF-title fight against George Kambosos Jr. getting postponed indefinitely. But now, Arum’s remarks have shed some light on fans’ mounting speculations.
“Teofimo is back in training,” confirms Arum. “His bout against Kambosos Jr. is on and will be happening soon.” This news comes as a sigh of relief for many fans who are waiting to see the outcome of this promising duel between two determined fighters.
An enticing match-up in Saudi Arabia, Haney’s not-so-impressive PPV numbers, and the confirmation of Teofimo’s return sure make for exciting news in the world of boxing. It goes on to demonstrate the dynamism and unpredictability that seems to be inherent in the sport.
As fans, we look forward to seeing how these developments pan out. The possibilities are endless – dominated by the potential names for the next megafight, lured by the charm of Saudi Arabia’s grand stages, or eagerly awaiting the result of the Teofimo-Kambosos Jr. encounter. Time will tell what this riveting drama will unfold, but until then, let’s keep our gloves on and roll with these punches.
