Shakur Stevenson fought off his contract with Top Rank with a lackluster victory over Artem Harutyunyan this past weekend. In a performance overshadowed by the boos and jeers from the Newark crowd, the American defeated the German via unanimous decision.
As a promotional free agent, the WBC lightweight champion now has options. His lackluster showing has diminished any hopes of a massive contract. However, certain top dogs in the business will surely want to have the undefeated star on their roster.
Hearn’s Promotion and Mayweather’s Partnership
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has already revealed his interest in signing the 2016 Rio Olympic Silver medalist. Interestingly, they are not the only ones interested in Stevenson. The 27-year-old recently sat down with Naji Grampus on Cigar Talk just days after defeating Harutyunyan.
“I wouldn’t mind working with Floyd [Mayweather] as long as it makes sense and it’s a partnership type of thing. You know, we go up together—well, I can’t say we go up together, he’s already up. But no, I’m gonna go up too. At the end of the day, I appreciate Floyd,” Stevenson said, revealing Mayweather has been in contact with him for some time.
Stevenson spoke highly of Eddie Hearn. The Newark native even compared Hearn with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum. For Stevenson, Top Rank has only the ESPN deal, but as for fight promotion, Hearn was better than Arum.
“If you really listen to Eddie Hearn talk, and then listen to Bob Arum, it’s different. Bob may give a fighter props if it’s Lomachenko, Inoue, or Fury, but with Eddie, all of his fighters, especially the top ones, get proper promotion,” Stevenson said, stating how Hearn recently promoted Andy Cruz, the Olympic Gold medalist.
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For Stevenson, there are high-profile fights on the horizon. Fights against Vasiliy Lomachenko or Gervonta Davis will be blockbuster events. William Zepeda, the undefeated knockout artist, is also an option for the WBC champion.
Also Read ‘You Punch Like a Pu**y’ – Ryan Garcia’s Scathing Critique of Shakur Stevenson
