Shakur Stevenson needs to stay at super lightweight, boxing’s most exciting division

If WBO and Ring Magazine Shakur Stevenson wasn’t already a star before he fought Teofimo Lopez on January 31, he is now.

Fighting at a sold-out Madison Square Garden, Stevenson’s dominance over Lopez saw him become the boxing and sports star he was destined to be.

Within the chaos inside the ring, Stevenson called out welterweight Conor Benn, who was sat ringside, which gives the impression that Stevenson does not intend to stay at 140lbs for too long.

If Stevenson does make the move, it will be a shame as he is now a world champion in arguably one of boxing’s most exciting divisions.

United States the centre of the super lightweight division

At the age of 28, Stevenson has achieved so much, winning world titles in four weight classes, akin to his friend, the now-retired Terence Crawford.

There is still plenty to give, especially at super lightweight, where three of the world titles, including Stevenson’s WBO belt, are held by Americans.

Gary Antuanne Russell is WBA champion, while Richardson Hitchins is the IBF titleholder, and both men make their latest defences on the undercard of Mario Barrios-Ryan Garcia on February 21, live on DAZN.

The Ring

If both men come through these fights unscathed, then no doubt they will call out Stevenson and set up another all-American showdown on the big stage.

Stevenson would be silly to ignore a possible clash with either Russell or Hitchins.

He would be an overwhelming favourite and beating domestic rivals would continue to enhance his status as a major sporting star in the US, and the country is crying out for their face of boxing.

Stevenson vs. Davis is a big money fight

Then there is Keyshawn Davis.

His super lightweight debut on the undercard of Stevenson-Lopez went to plan, stopping Jamaine Ortiz in the 12th round of their encounter.

Davis is someone who generates a lot of excitement, and sooner rather than later, he will be in a position to challenge for a world title at 140lbs.

A Stevenson-Davis fight is big money.

Both men are touted as some of America’s best pugilists, and it would be an intriguing matchup.

Could Davis trouble his rival with his knockout power? Or could Stevenson keep Davis at bay and avoid any danger coming his way?

Stevenson may be looking to higher weight divisions and opponents from across the Atlantic Ocean, but there is plenty of business to attend to Stateside.

Stevenson could attempt to conquer British super lightweight stars

Stevenson may have his sights set on facing Britain’s best, but it’s not Conor Benn at welterweight who should be the focus.

Britain has its own crop of stars at super lightweight, with one recently crowned a world champion.

Sheffield’s Dalton Smith is the WBC titleholder at super lightweight after beating Subriel Matias last month, and he made no secret that he wanted the winner of Lopez-Stevenson.

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Smith is not afraid of any challenge coming his way, and if he can’t tempt Stevenson to make the trip to the UK, a fight Stateside should not faze him. He knows what it takes to triumph over there, and after the chaos surrounding his bout with Matias, ‘Thunder’ will know what to expect.

There is also rising star Adam Azim.

Undefeated in his 14 fights as a professional, Azim is being billed as a world champion in waiting, but while he’s still working his way up the ranks, it may be the perfect time for Stevenson to face him.

Someone of Stevenson’s intellect will know whether a potential opponent could beat him in the future, and while he would still be favourite to beat Azim, not facing him sooner rather than later could backfire if the 23-year-old fulfils his potential and becomes one of the world’s best at super lightweight.

Super lightweight division weaker without Stevenson

Yes, welterweight is arguably boxing’s most glamorous weight class outside of the heavyweight division, and Stevenson will be having his head turned due to the financial rewards on offer.

However, the super lightweight division would be a weaker place without him.

With strong tests both domestically and in the UK, Stevenson has the chance to do something special at 140lbs, beating the top talent on both sides of the Atlantic and continuing to stake his claim as one of boxing’s greatest.

Then, after becoming the king of the super lightweight division, move up to welterweight and attempt to replicate his dominance at 147lbs.

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