Shakur Stevenson has been presented with an enticing opportunity, but only at 140lbs, as he considers possible opponents for his next outing.
The 28-year-old is seemingly yet to finalise a fight date after dethroning Teofimo Lopez, the then-WBO super-lightweight champion, with a wide points victory in January.
Having become a four-weight world champion, Stevenson is now searching for challenges between 140 and 135lbs, where he previously held the WBC title.
One name that has repeatedly been mentioned is Raymond Muratalla, who holds the IBF and Ring Magazine lightweight belts after outpointing Andy Cruz in January.
From Stevenson’s perspective, the opportunity to become a three-division Ring Magazine champion is what makes the potential Muratalla fight particularly appealing.
At the same time, though, a unification showdown with Dalton Smith at 140lbs is surely something that merits consideration for later this year.
Like Stevenson, the WBC champion claimed his world super-lightweight title in January, dethroning Subriel Matias with a fifth-round finish on away soil.
For his next assignment, Smith must face mandatory challenger Alberto Puello on June 6, headlining a Matchroom Boxing card at the Sheffield Arena.
Should he successfully defend his title, then the 29-year-old would be eager to face Stevenson in a transatlantic battle that he likens to Floyd Mayweather vs Ricky Hatton.
Speaking with Ring Magazine, Smith said this ‘dream’ fight would ideally take place at Hillsborough Stadium – home of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club – or even in Las Vegas.
“Of course [it’s a dream fight]. That’s just a rewind of [Mayweather-Hatton], whether we do it at Hillsborough or a big night in Vegas.
“They’re the fights to be made – they’re the big fights out there.”
Dalton Smith calls for a “dream fight” with Ring junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/CsOgih6G8l
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) April 23, 2026
Earlier in the interview, the Brit said he feels a duty to continue thriving to ‘do this for the people and bring big fight nights back to Sheffield.’
If Stevenson keeps hold of his WBO title, then he could theoretically face Smith later this year, but is perhaps more likely to target alternative options between now and then.
