Shakur Stevenson stands firm as one of the best current lightweights in boxing.
The 27-year-old has already won world titles in 3 weight divisions, as he prepares to defend his WBC lightweight title for the second time on February 22 2025 against Floyd Schofield on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch.
The undefeated American star was due to defend his title against Joe Cordina back in October, but suffered a hand injury in training camp, forcing him to cancel the contest against the Welshman.
As he prepares to return to the ring, Stevenson has spoken openly about his feelings towards fellow lightweight and reigning IBF champion at 135lbs, Vasiliy Lomachenko.
Speaking on his social media, the WBC champion called for the Ukrainian star to retire, claiming his inactivity and unwillingness to make big fights means he should walk away from the sport.
“Retire. He’s not trying to be in no big fights, so why be in the sport?”
Stevenson then followed up on his thoughts about ‘Loma’ in a recent interview with Boxing News.
“I’m kinda over it. I think he’s soft. At that last fight he pushed up on me and was talking kinda reckless but then he don’t want to get in a boxing ring and square off.
I have respect for him for what he done in the sport of boxing, but lately I lost a lot of respect for him … I don’t even see the point of him boxing if he’s not gonna fight me or Tank. What’s the point? What are you doing?”
Lomachenko’s last appearance came in May when he defeated George Kambosos Jr to claim the vacant IBF lightweight title. He had been expected to face Gervonta Davis late last year but pulled out of negotiations citing a lack of motivation.
