Shakur Stevenson has revealed his top five greatest fighters of all time, adding that he sees himself eventually becoming the pound-for-pound ‘GOAT’.
The 28-year-old is, of course, yet to claim such a lofty status, even in this generation, but nonetheless looks capable of crafting a Hall of Fame career.
While most would place Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue ahead of him, Stevenson has undoubtedly established himself as a top five pound-for-pound star among all active fighters.
He did, after all, become a four-division world champion following his dominant points victory over Teofimo Lopez last month.
In terms of listing the greatest fighters throughout history, though, many would include the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali, who both faced the toughest opponents of their era.
Stevenson, however, has left these two legends off his list, most likely because he has taken more inspiration from fighters such as Floyd Mayweather and Pernell Whitaker.
The two defensive technicians are certainly in the discussion for top 10 status, but whether they deserve to be placed in the all-time top five is perhaps up for debate.
Either way, Stevenson has named both of them, along with Sugar Ray Leonard and his two mentors, Terence Crawford and Andre Ward, as two of his greatest fighters in history.
Speaking with Adin Ross, the slick southpaw confirmed his selections in no particular order.
“‘Bud’ [Crawford]; Floyd [Mayweather]; Pernell [Whitaker]; Andre Ward. Fifth, I’m going to say… I like Sugar Ray Leonard. That’s my top five; who I like.”
Despite their incredible achievements, very few may yet include Crawford and Ward in their top five ‘GOAT’ list.
But given his close bond with the two Americans, who both retired unbeaten, it is hardly surprising that Stevenson views them with such admiration.
