Gervonta Davis’ assistant coach, Kenny Ellis, says there’s a “huge chance” a fight between Tank and WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson can happen in November in a unification clash at 135.
Shakur’s “Fear”
Ellis says the only thing that could prevent the fight from happening is “fear” on Shakur’s part because Tank (30-0, 28 KOs) would agree to the matchup. He needs an opponent after his plans for a unification clash against IBF champion Vasily Lomachenko disappeared, with Loma opting to take the remainder of the year off.
Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) might be a problem when negotiating with Tank because he fancies him as a big star, which he’s not, and he would likely reject any offers that didn’t reflect that.
“He said that he would like that fight in November with Tank. So, let’s see how bad he wants it now. He’s not with Bob [Arum of Top Rank] anymore. Let’s see. The only thing that can stop that fight is fear. Huge chance,” said coach Kenny Ellis to MillCity Boxing about the possibility of a fight between free agent Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis happening in November.
Shakur’s Past History
Stevenson, 27, didn’t agree to the deal Devin Haney had for him, which cost him the chance to become the undisputed lightweight champion.
Shakur is his own worst enemy when setting up fights, and he’ll likely shoot himself in the foot in the negotiations with Gervonta. He’ll be back where he is, stuck fighting guys like Artem Harutyunyan and Edwin De Los Santos.
Assuming that Shakur rejects the offer from Tank Davis, it’ll be interesting to see who he faces next. If the Newark, New Jersey native Shakur signs with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing company, he must move up to 140. Hearn only has Andy Cruz at lightweight, and that’s a bad style matchup for Shakur.
The 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz can do everything Shakur can but with more power and offensive capabilities. He’s like a better version of Shakur, and it would be bad news for him if that match were made. Shakur would likely refuse to fight Cruz if Hearn offered that fight to him because it involves too much risk.
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