Promoter Eddie Hearn sounded wishy-washy about his interest in signing free agent Shakur Stevenson. Hearn expressed concern about whether he would have the fights to offer the WBC lightweight champion Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) if he signs with him.
Eddie says he recently met with Stevenson, 27, and his management, letting them know that he wants to sign him, but it would hinge on ” delivering” the right fights for him.
Shakur’s Dream Fights Out of Reach
Considering that Hearn can’t deliver Tank Davis, Vasily Lomachenko, or William Zepeda for Shakur, he has nothing to offer besides fighters at 140, most of whom would beat him.
If Hearn can’t get the right fights. Shakur would be stuck fighting his Matchroom stable fighters at 140, and his career would continue to plummet.
At 140, Shakur would be like a fish out of water, forced to run due to his lack of power and being a plague for the broadcasters. We’re talking about bottom basement-type ratings for Shakur, and Hearn would be crying crocodile tears for his mistake in signing him.
Shakur wants only fights against Gervonta Davis and Vasily Lomachenko, which Hearn can’t guarantee. Hearn could try to make those fights, but whether he could get either is questionable.
“I’ve met with Shakur, Jay Prince, and Josh Duban. They’re a great team. It was a really honest conversation, and the conversation was, ‘I would love to sign you,’” said promoter Eddie Hearn to iFL TV about his interest in signing free agent Shakur Stevenson to his Matchroom promotion.
Hearn didn’t sound amped up during the interview when the topic of conversation switched to Shakur. From looking at Hearn’s face, I could tell that he doesn’t seem eager to add Shakur to his team and deal with the complaining that will come from him when he fails to get him the fights he’s pressing for against Tank and Lomachenko.
Hearn’s face looked like he’d just bit into a lemon, and he didn’t like the taste. He knows from his years in the game what the result would be if he can’t get the fights Shakur is pining away for.
“I need to deliver the right fights for you, and if I can’t deliver those fights for you, maybe I’m not the guy to be with,” Hearn continued about Shakur. “We all agree that with the right fights, I’m the right guy for the job, but I’ve got to deliver the right fights.
Lomachenko isn’t going to want to fight a runner like Shakur at his age and be forced to chase him around the ring for 12 rounds. I wouldn’t blame Loma one bit for turning up his nose at fighting Shakur because he knows what kind of fighter he is, and he’s not going to want to hear boos all night from the fans.
“He’ll be here Saturday, as will the rest of the world. If we can work with Shakur, I’d love to work with Shakur, but it’s got to be right for him. It’s got to be right for us as well. On my part, I’d love to be Shakur’s promoter because I think he’s a great fighter,” said Hearn.
The Risk of a Disgruntled Fighter
The last thing Hearn needs is to sign Shakur and not be able to give him the fights he’s asking for. Shakur would then become a discontented, disgruntled cancer, airing his unhappiness on social media about his mistake of signing with Hearn. It would be pure venom from Shakur, and Hearn would be full of regret for the signing.
If all Hearn has to offer Shakur are these fighters, there’s going to be a lot of unhappiness:
– Andy Cruz
– Liam Paro
– Jack Catterall
– Subriel Matias
– Regis Prograis
– Richardson Hitchins
Shakur might lose to some of those guys, especially Andy Cruz. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist Cruz is the same type of fighter as Shakur but way more gifted on the offensive side of the game. I think Paro would also beat Shakur and wreck Hearn’s signing.
“The only way I’m involved in a Shakur-Tank deal is if I’m working with Shakur, and at the moment, I’m not,” said Hearn. “Whether he needs me once, he does that deal, or whether he signs with PBC, I don’t know.”
Shakur doesn’t need Hearn to get the Tank Davis fight. Signing with Hearn does help Shakur in the promotional department, where he does a good job of creating interest in his fighters if he’s keen on them. If Hearn likes Shakur, he’ll do a lot of heavy lifting to build him up in interviews.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tank against Shakur because fights get made, and situations and circumstances are everything,” said Hearn. “So, Tank has all his eggs in his basket for a Lomachenko fight, and then that falls through. You’re really left holding your d*** at that point, going, ‘Blimey, who am I going to fight?”
Tank Davis doesn’t need Shakur. If that fight doesn’t happen, Tank can fight anyone, and he’ll still do well because he’s a big star.
Options for Tank:
– Isaac Cruz
– William Zepeda
– Denys Berinchyk
– Floyd Schofield
– Keyshawn Davis
– Raymond Muratalla
– Teofimo Lopez
“Boom, Shakur is a free agent; he’s ready to do a deal, and timing is everything,” said Hearn. “So, I wouldn’t be surprised. I haven’t spoken to him [Shakur] since I saw him about a week ago, but maybe they’re in discussions for that fight [with Tank Davis]. If they are and they haven’t signed with PBC, I’d love to be a part of the team.”
Hearn’s Lack of Enthusiasm
Hearn’s energy when talking about Shakur suggests that he is not excited about adding him to his team. When you compare that to how Hearn seemed lively when speaking about wanting to ink Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, it’s night and day.
Hearn looked like a kid who just got his favorite present when talking about Boots Ennis, and he’s not the same towards Shakur. It’s pretty obvious that he’s not eager to add him to his team, and I can’t blame him one bit. I wouldn’t be either.
“If they have, good luck, and maybe we’ll work together in the future. I hope Shakur, with or without us, can make fights that can define his legacy,” said Hearn.
Notice Hearn’s attitude? Does that seem like a guy that wants to sign Shakur?
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