Shakur Stevenson, a rising star in the boxing world, is gearing up for a highly anticipated showdown with Teofimo Lopez, but he has a clear stance on one potential opponent he refuses to face. Stevenson, known for his impressive record and skill, is set to challenge Lopez for the WBO title at super-lightweight on January 31st. This fight marks Lopez's fourth defense since his ascent to the lightweight division, where he dethroned Vasiliy Lomachenko and then conquered Josh Taylor to claim the WBO crown at 140lbs. Despite Stevenson's own achievements, including world titles at featherweight and lightweight, as well as a unified reign at super-featherweight, he has a strong stance on one particular fighter he will not face.
The issue lies in the Ring Magazine championship policy, which allows for belt contests when the division's top two fighters engage in a match. Stevenson, however, has a clear reason for his refusal to face Keyshawn Davis, a fellow boxer he has known and trained with. In a recent interview on the Mr Verzace Podcast, Stevenson expressed his decision firmly.
'I ain't gonna fight my brother. I'm not fighting somebody I came up with. Somebody I really been with in the trenches. Ain't no money in the world that's gonna make me do that,' Stevenson stated, emphasizing his close bond and shared history with Davis. This sentiment is reciprocated by Davis, who has praised Stevenson's support during challenging times. Despite this, Davis has been out of the ring since his WBO lightweight title victory over Denys Berinchyk in February, and his planned first defense against Edwin De Los Santos in June was canceled due to weight issues, leading to the stripping of his belt.
Stevenson's refusal to face Davis is a testament to the complex dynamics within the boxing community, where personal relationships and mutual respect can outweigh financial incentives. This unique stance adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming fight with Lopez, leaving fans curious about the potential implications and the ongoing development of Stevenson's career.
