Shakur Stevenson says he’d fight lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason in the future. WBC 135-lb champion Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) says he respects the 20-year-old Mason, and he doesn’t think Top Rank should rush him in his career.
The Bedford, Ohio native Mason looks like a can’t-miss future superstar and a far better talent than Shakur. Top Rank invested money in Shakur’s career, signing him out of the 2016 Olympics, but he’s not won over fans despite capturing three division world titles.
That money was wasted because Shakur’s popularity failed to increase, and he left Top Rank recently in favor of signing with Matchroom. That marriage may not last if Shakur loses or his fights fail to attract interest.
Stevenson’s hit-and-not-get-hit fighting style isn’t entertaining for this generation’s fans, who don’t enjoy the outdated Mayweather fighting approach. That didn’t fit this era’s fans, who like action rather than the peck-and-scat style that Shakur uses.
Mason, 5’9″, might be too big and powerful for Shakur, who can’t punch and looked poor last November in his clash against Edwin De Los Santos in Las Vegas. Shakur doesn’t look like he’s capable of handling a big puncher like Mason.
It might not be competitive if that fight happens in two to three years. Shakur’s career could be on skidrow, much like Regis Prograis’ after next year, and he wouldn’t be worth fighting.
It’s unknown where Shakur’s career will be after 2025. If #1 WBC contender William Zepeda destroys him in February, as many people believe will be the case, a fight between him and Mason might never happen. Shakur would be faced with some tough decisions in his career about whether to stay at lightweight or move up to 140 and try to reinvent himself.
Zepeda has already beaten fighters who use the same pull-back style that Shakur uses, and he made it look easy. He averages 100.2 punches thrown per round, and he hits hard to the body and head. Shakur could be doomed against Zepeda.
The three-year pro, Mason, is facing Yohan Vasquez (26-5, 21 KOs) in an eight-round fight next month on the undercard of Keyshawn Davis vs. Gustavo Lemos on November 8th at the Scopes Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. The event will be shown live on ESPN+.
Greg Hackett: “If you ever got the chance, would you fight Abdullah Mason?” said Hackett to GBHTV.
Shakur Stevenson: “Yes, I think Mason is a great young fighter. I don’t think they should rush him. I think that they’re doing exactly what they’re doing with him; Top Rank is giving him the right fights. Yeah, he’s working his way up. He’s working right. I respect him.
“Probably 40 or 47,” said Shakur about what weight he expects to end up in his career. “I used to think I would get to 54. I ain’t grown in a minute. I’ve been slowing my growth spurt.”
Mason has been stealing the shows, fighting on Shakur’s undercards, and making him and Keyshawn Davis look bad with their performances.
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