Shakur Stevenson remains without an opponent after signing with Zuffa Boing earlier this year, but the four-division world champion is now being linked to a left-field showdown with Manny Pacquiao. Kenny Ellis, coach of Stevenson’s fierce rival Gervonta Davis, has weighed in on how that fight might play out.
Stevenson’s skills shone bright under the Madison Square Garden spotlight when he schooled Teofimo Lopez to capture the WBO super-lightweight world title back in January, before the Newark southpaw then announced his move to Zuffa in July.
Since then, the 29-year-old has been linked to a host of opponents, the latest being boxing’s only eight-division world champion, Pacquiao, who had been expecting to co-star in a lucrative rematch with Floyd Mayweather at the end of the year before talks collapsed and the fight was pushed back with a new date not yet announced.
Speaking with MillCity Boxing, Ellis, who is a part of ‘Tank’s coaching team, forecasted Stevenson comfortably defeating the Filipino legend if the bout takes place.
“I think that, if Shakur fights Manny Pacquiao, Shakur will win a unanimous decision.
“Yeah [easy], completely outbox him. 12 rounds.”
Ellis then went on to say that he does not believe the contest would be any more competitive than Stevenson’s dominant triumph over Lopez – scored 119-109 by all three judges – but maintained that he doesn’t anticipate Stevenson being able to knock the 47-year-old out.
“Anything is possible, boxing is unpredictable but most likely, if you just look at the age difference and Father Time, then I don’t see it happening [Pacquiao causing more issues than Teofimo Lopez]. Again, it is possible, anything can happen but I have got Shakur giving him a classic whooping, picking him apart.
“I don’t see him taking the chances to actually try and stop him because it is too risky.”
Whilst Pacquiao has now become the frontrunner to face Stevenson, the latter has also recently been linked to fights against reigning WBA super-lightweight world champion Gary Antuanne Russell, as well as Raymond Muratalla, who has moved up to 140lbs and vacated his IBF lightweight world title.
Davis remains on the sidelines, with a 2027 return now more likely after further legal issues outside of the ropes. A fight between him and Stevenson remains the best in the lightweight division.
