Keyshawn Davis asserts that WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson will only emerge from retirement if presented with a significant bout. Despite his attempts to secure fights against the champions, they have consistently refused to face him.
Stevenson, 26 years old, will remain retired until he is offered a substantial fight. This could potentially result in him staying away from the boxing ring for an extended period, unless promoter Bob Aurm or the Saudis entice a top fighter with a substantial sum of money.
Davis emphasizes that Shakur (21-0, 10 KOs) has amassed a fortune and has made wise investments, rendering the need for him to continue fighting unnecessary. His desire to return from retirement is solely driven by the prospect of facing elite opponents such as Gervonta Davis, Ryan Garcia, and Devin Haney.
Keyshawn highlights the fact that Shakur has persistently called out the top fighters for years without securing a noteworthy bout. Consequently, he anticipates that Stevenson will remain retired for an extended duration.
Financial stability serves as the primary motivation for Shakur’s selectivity.
“There is undoubtedly political maneuvering in the sport. Shakur has consistently called out all the champions, only to be repeatedly denied,” stated Keyshawn Davis in an interview with Fight Hub TV regarding Shakur Stevenson. “After a while, one grows weary of such treatment. Shakur has already amassed millions in the sport through astute investments that will ensure his financial security.
“At this point, he has adopted the attitude of ‘screw boxing, I retire.’ It is worth noting that he is a three-division champion. Can you name someone his age with such an achievement? Yet, champions refuse to step into the ring with him. It is an undeniably frustrating situation. I completely understand his decision to retire,” Keyshawn added.
If Shakur remains in retirement for an extended period, it could prove counterproductive as it will only increase the likelihood of being overlooked rather than eventually securing a fight against one of the prominent names in the sport. Given his current lack of popularity, the longer Shakur stays away from boxing, the slimmer his chances become of landing a significant bout.
Selective only with top contenders.
“He will only return for major fights. He will not settle for anything less,” Keyshawn commented on Shakur’s intentions. “That’s why he engaged in a Twitter exchange with Ryan Garcia. He would love to face Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, and perhaps even Teofimo. I cannot say for certain.
“He will only make a comeback for a significant fight, but he has been pursuing such opportunities for years without success. Therefore, one should expect him to remain absent from the sport for quite some time,” Keyshawn concluded about Shakur.