Shakur Stevenson complimented his former promoter Bob Arum today on social media, making some believe that he’s going to return to Top Rank after briefly testing the free agent market.
Stevenson liked that Arum “kept it real” about his last fight against Artem Harutyunyan, which was impossible for him to look good against.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn had shown interest in inking the unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) after his victory over Artem Harutyunyan on July 6th.
Hearn has gone quiet about Shakur after promoter Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy commented on social media that his fighter William Zepeda won’t be told who to fight after the WBC ordered negotiations to begin between him and Stevenson for a match.
Zepeda was the guy that Hearn wanted for Stevenson if he signed him. Without him, Hearn only has lightweight Andy Cruz and a handful of lightweight welterweights that Shakur would have no interest in fighting, such as Liam Paro, Jack Catterall, and Subriel Matias.
Hearn has got to know that if he signs with Matchroom, he doesn’t have anyone to match Shakur with, and he could soon be a disgruntled employee, airing his unhappiness on social media and letting the world know how unhappy he is about not getting the fights he thought he would get.
Matchroom was the only real option Shakur had as a free avenge unless he wanted to sign with PBC and potentially struggle to get fight dates.
At least if Shakur stayed with Top Rank, his fights would be seen on ESPN by millions of fans, and their matchmakers, which are the best in the sport, would keep him unbeaten for years as they did with Terence Crawford, making him look like gold when he may not have been in reality.
“He’s a free agent, but I’m tight with James Prince and the rest of the group around Shakur. After he tests free agency, if he wants to come to Top Rank, we’d be delighted to re-sign him. I like the kid a lot,” said promoter Bob Arum to Hassan Welliyo on X, talking about wanting to bring Shakur Stevenson back among the fold at Top Rank after he tests the free agent market.
If Shakur re-ups with Top Rank, they can potentially match him against these fighters:
– Vasily Lomachenko
– Denys Berinchyk
– Raymond Muratalla
– Teofimo Lopez
– Abdullah Mason
Top Rank is powerful enough to work a deal for Shakur and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, as long as the Baltimore native and PBC are willing to take that fight. It would be a massive dual-platform fight involving ESPN, PPV, and Prime Video.
It’s too bad Shakur is friends with Keyshawn Davis because he would be an option for him as well.
“He’s a free agent now. It’s no different than a football player. He finished his contract. He’s a free agent, and he tests the market. That’s what Shakur is doing. Hopefully, after he tests the market, he’ll come back to us,” said Arum.
Bob Arum kept it real bout my fight that’s 100 💯
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) July 18, 2024
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