Boxing sensation Shakur Stevenson, a former Olympian and the now WBO featherweight champion, has recently made headlines for his bold comments about other fighters in the business. “Tank & Loma don’t wanna fight me!” Shakur sounds off! This statement has sparked fiery debates in the boxing community, raising questions about the competitive dynamics of the sport.
Stevenson’s comments targeted two distinguished boxing stars – Gervonta “Tank” Davis, a three-weight world champion, and Vasyl “Loma” Lomachenko, a Ukrainian professional boxer, known for his exceptional skill set. Stevenson’s audacious statement carries implications of fear, suggesting that these two heavyweights of the boxing world are avoiding a bout with him.
Seventeen fights into his flawless professional career, Stevenson boasts an untarnished record of 17-0 with nine wins coming by way of knockout. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old boxing prodigy from Newark, New Jersey, is still yearning for a spot amongst boxing’s elite.
Despite being a title holder, Stevenson’s career lacks the shine of a major breakout fight. This trend possibly explains his recent outburst, drawing attention to the names on his wish list. Gervonta Davis (24-0, 23 KOs), a rising star in the world of boxing, and Vasyl Lomachenko (15-2, 11 KOs), a seasoned fighter and technical genius of the ring, make up the top of that list.
Stevenson’s assertion that these two high-profile fighters are avoiding him strategically is open to interpretation. From one perspective, it may be viewed as a publicity stunt to garner attraction to a potential bout. On the other hand, it could also be seen as a legitimate call for competition, defying the politics often associated with match-making in professional boxing. Stevenson may be craving a classic showdown, one where the fighters don’t vie for safer opportunities but courageously confront the best.
However, interpreting Stevenson’s statements can only get us so far. The next critical step would be to witness how Davis and Lomachenko respond. Do these fighters accept the challenge, or do they deny the allegations of being fearful of Stevenson?
If Stevenson’s outspokenness successfully fishes any responses from these fighters, it would subsequently lay the foundation for a sensational fight ahead. The prospect of Stevenson squaring off against Davis or Lomachenko can be a potential crowd-puller and a tremendous attraction for boxing enthusiasts globally.
In the grand scheme of boxing, Stevenson emerges as a young, fresh, and talented fighter with an evident hunger for the spotlight. His impeccable record suggests that he is not just another loudmouth but carries legitimate skill and powerhouse potential.
Stevenson’s comments serve as a testament to his self-confidence and ambition. In a sport like boxing, where bouts are often scheduled behind a veil of business negotiations and marketability, Stevenson’s comments work to disrupt the norm, calling for fights based solely on merit.
Whether or not Stevenson gets his wish is yet to be seen. However, the boxing world will undoubtedly be watching closely, eager to see if the young champion’s words hold enough weight to shake up some much-anticipated boxing matches.
The young champion’s affirmation, “Tank & Loma don’t wanna fight me!“, echoes throughout the boxing universe, challenging the status quo and demanding attention from all quarters. It will be fascinating to see how this bold assertion changes the boxing landscape, and what this could mean for Shakur Stevenson’s journey ahead.
