Shakur Stevenson is not a young man who is reluctant to express his feelings. And he is letting it be known to his promoters at Top Rank Boxing he is unhappy with not getting a fight with WBC champion and stablemate, Oscar Valdez.
The current plan is for Valdez to defend his 130-pound title against 26-year-old Emmanuel Navarette. The challenger would be moving up from 126 for the fight.
Bob Arum and Top Rank Boxing probably see little value in allowing two of their top fighters to face off at this time. Shakur Stevenson is 24 years old and undefeated in 17 professional fights. Boxing insiders and serious fans know the talent Shakur possesses. But he is still not known to many casual boxing fans would recognize.
Oscar Valdez is a little older, at 30 years of age. He is 30-0 as a professional fighter. Valdez was able to win the WBC super featherweight title by knocking out Miguel Berchelt earlier this year in February.
“It’s all politics,” Stevenson voices his displeasure with his promoter. “I used to sit back and complain, but that ain’t gonna do too much.” Stevenson ended his criticism for Top Rank by saying, “They don’t want me in the ring with Oscar Valdez because they know what’s going to happen.”
Shakur Stevenson also had choice words for his desired opponent. “Oscar Valdez don’t want it either.” Stevenson criticized Valdez for telling fans he wants to fight, “but when I reach out, there ain’t no talk of me and him fighting.”
“There’s only one fight left,” Stevenson talks about his options at the 130-pound division. “Oscar can’t keep ducking. It’s time to fight.”
Stevenson might find himself in a fight with former champion Vasiliy Lomachenko soon if a fight with Valdez is unavailable. The newly crowned WBO 130-pound champion is also considering a move to the highly competitive lightweight division.