Shakur Stevenson is yet to announce an opponent for his Zuffa Boxing debut and one reigning world champion is claiming that he has been avoided by the WBO super-lightweight ruler.
Stevenson outclassed Teofimo Lopez to become a four-division world champion back in January, but the Newark southpaw hasn’t fought since, despite being linked to a host of names; including Devin Haney, Conor Benn, Raymond Muratalla and O’Shaquie Foster.
In fact, Foster was told by Stevenson that he could get his shot if able to defeat his good friend, Raymond Ford, which he did back in May, prompting a post-fight face-off between he and Stevenson, only for talks to then go quiet.
In an interview with Fight Hub TV, Foster explained why he believes the proposed battle makes Stevenson ‘nervous’.
“He don’t want to fight, we didn’t hear nothing, man. He don’t want me to end that gravy train that they got going on, he is going to take his chances somewhere else.
“For real though, Shakur saw me for a long time. Before me and him even started sparring, when we were staying together in Virginia, he saw me work. So, he know what I can do, he knows what I am capable of.
“Then on top of the sparring, Shakur has sparred everybody that he fought and everybody that he wants to fight, he got a beat on them.
“He couldn’t ever get a beat on me, so that is what I feel like it is, it makes him nervous.”
Instead, Foster – who holds the WBC super-featherweight world title – has now moved on to a fascinating three-belt super-featherweight world title unification against unified WBO and IBF 130lb champion, Emanuel Navarrete.
Continuing, Foster maintained that Stevenson will remain his target during the aftermath, potentially prioritising a clash with the pound-for-pound star over a possible undisputed title bout at super-featherweight.
“He came talking about, I need to get past Navarrete, he keep throwing everybody else’s name out there.
When I handle him [Navarrete] though, you come see me next.”
Navarrete-Foster will take place on Saturday, October 24, whilst the remaining super-featherweight title will be on the line when Anthony Cacace attempts to defend his WBA belt against Nick Ball on Saturday, December 19.
Stevenson, meanwhile, may well end up facing Raymond Muratalla, who recently vacated his lightweight title following previous talks of moving up to 140lbs to make the fight happen.
