Shakur Stevenson says he will fight Abdullah Mason at lightweight in the future. WBC 135-lb champion Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) says he respects the 20-year-old Mason, and doesn’t think Top Rank should chase him in his career.
Bedford, Ohio native Mason looks like a future star with a much better talent than Shakur. Top Rank invested in Shakur’s career, taking him out of the 2016 Olympics, but he didn’t win over fans despite capturing three world division titles.
That money was wasted because Shakur’s fortune did not grow, he left Top Rank and recently signed with Matchroom. That marriage may not last if Shakur loses or his fights fail to attract interest.
Stevenson’s hit-and-don’t-hit fighting style is not appealing to fans of this generation, who do not enjoy Mayweather’s outdated style of fighting. That didn’t sit well with fans of this era, who liked the action instead of the peck-and-scat style used by Shakur.
Mason, 5’9″, may be too big and strong for Shakur, who can’t hit and looked poor last November against Edwin De Los Santos in Las Vegas. Shakur doesn’t look like he can handle a big puncher like Mason.
It may not be competitive if that fight happens in two or three years. Shakur’s career could be at its peak, like Regis Prograis after next year, and he wouldn’t be eligible to fight.
It is unknown where Shakur’s career will be after 2025. If #1 competes with the WBC William Zepeda destroy him in February, as many people believe will be the case, the fight between him and Mason may not happen. Shakur would face 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 takedown style that Shakur uses, and he’s made it look easy. He averages 100.2 punches thrown per round, and hits hard to the body and head. Shakur may be sentenced against Zepeda.
Three-year champion Mason faces Yohan Vasquez (26-5, 21 KOs) in an eight-round fight next month on the undercard of Keyshawn Davis vs. Gustavo Lemos on November 8 at Scopes Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. The event will be shown live on ESPN+.
Greg Hackett: “If you ever get the chance, would you fight Abdullah Mason?” Hackett said on GBHTV.
Shakur Stevenson: “Yeah, I think Mason is a young little fighter. I don’t think they should chase him. I think they are doing exactly what they are doing with him; Top Rank gives him the right fights. Yes, you are working your way up. You are working well. I respect him.
“Maybe 40 or 47,” Shakur said of the weight he expects to reach in his career. “I thought I would reach 54. I haven’t grown a minute. I have been slowing down my growth spurt.”
Mason has been stealing shows, battling Shakur’s undercards, and making him and Keyshawn Davis look bad with their performances.
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