This Is How Shakur Stevenson Can Get A Lightweight Title Shot
Stevenson moved up to lightweight after vacating his super featherweight titles in September.
American professional boxer Shakur Stevenson’s chance to become a three-division titleholder will depend on Devin Haney moving to the 140-pound division.
The California native Haney is currently the undisputed champion of the 135-pound division. He became the fully unified champion recently after defeating George Kambosos Jr. in the Australian’s homeland. The 24-year-old repeated this achievement in a contractually mandated rematch.
However, the fight is unlikely to happen at 135 as Haney has struggled to maintain his 135-pound limit and wants to move up to 140. That could happen after the younger American’s potential fight against three-division titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko, according to Top Rank head Bob Arum.
In a recent interview, Arum said that the 24-year-old could vacate his titles at some point in 2023, opening the door for Stevenson to grab a belt at that time.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to get him in position where he’ll be ready to fight for the lightweight title because Devin is soon to go up to 140 after Lomachenko fight and that will open up 135 for Shakur,” Arum told Boxing Social.
“He’s a massive talent,” Arum said of Stevenson. “There are so many unbelievably talented kids in the sport of boxing.
“We’re getting such great athletes in. Nice, young men who don’t abuse their position. They adhere to the straight and narrow and Shakur is a great talent and now he’s built up a massive following in his hometown of Newark, which is across the river from New York. … He’ll be coming back in March, and I can’t wait to be there.”