Shakur Stevenson appeared to post a self-motivational message on X to let fans know that he\u2019s about to \u201clock back in\u201d after enjoying his victory lap from his career-best win over William Zepeda last month in Queens.<\/p>\n
Why Teofimo Lopez Has Gone Quiet<\/p>\n
The fight that Shakur (24-0, 11 KOs) hoped to have next against Teofimo Lopez doesn\u2019t look like it\u2019s happening. Teo has gone quiet, likely because he recognized the hopeless situation he\u2019d have been in if he\u2019d fought Stevenson on one of Turki Alalshikh\u2019s Riyadh Season cards.<\/p>\n
The way that the judges scored Shakur\u2019s fight against the highly volume-punching Zepeda (32-1, 27 KOs), in which he was outlanded in every round by the Mexican sluggers, showed what Lopez would be up against if he fought the Newark, New Jersey native.<\/p>\n
Mayweather-Esque Scoring<\/p>\n
Shakur is getting the old Mayweather treatment with the scoring now. That means he can\u2019t be beaten by a decision by anyone on the planet, no matter how badly he\u2019s outlanded. Judges love that retro Mayweather-esque style.<\/p>\n
Zepeda riddled Shakur with shots all night long, yet found himself on the receiving end of a lopsided 12-round decision. Teofimo likely saw the scoring for that fight and said to himsellf, \u2018Forget this. I don\u2019t want to get the Zepeda treatment.\u2019<\/p>\n
Stevenson hasn\u2019t mentioned any other options. He\u2019d been calling out Gervonta Davis for the last three years, but that\u2019s not going to happen either. With Tank and Teofimo seemingly not an option, Shakur will likely turn his attention to lining up a fight against Lamont Roach Jr.<\/p>\n
He was one of the three fighters on his hit list that he posted recently. The other is Andy Cruz, but Stevenson isn\u2019t about to fight the talented 2020 Olympic gold medalist. #1 WBC-ranked Cruz can do everything Shakur can, but with more punching power.<\/p>\n
Why Roach Jr. Won\u2019t Sell PPV<\/p>\n
The problem with using Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) as his opponent is that it\u2019s not a fight that would sell on PPV. Unless Turki is willing to pay Shakur a goldmine worth of money for this fight, it\u2019s not worth targeting. The reason is that you can\u2019t take two defensive fighters and put them against each other. It\u2019s poison for the eyes. Those fights don\u2019t sell in this era of boxing, in which fans expect to be entertained.<\/p>\n
If Turki could find a working time machine and place Shakur & Roach on board, he could send them back to the early 1990s before the invention of the Internet. Back then, fans had few options for entertainment, and they would put up with watching two defensive fighters battle in a chess match.<\/p>\n
Stevenson needs someone that the public would care to see. He\u2019d be fine if Turki is willing to finance the fight and place it on one of his undercards for a popular fighter. It\u2019s not one that could headline.<\/p>\n
Shakur\u2019s Top Fight Options<\/p>\n
Andy Cruz
\nAbdullah Mason
\nFloyd Schofield Jr.
\nRaymond Muratalla
\nGary Antuanne Russell
\nRichardson Hitchins<\/p>\n
Time to lock back in champ, Let\u2019s get it your dreams are getting closer then ever before\ud83d\udc51 #ChasingLegacy<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) August 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n