Former two-division and multi-time world champion Zab Judah had addressed the controversy of a potential clash between Shakur Stevenson and Manny Pacquiao.
While yet to announce a date, location or opponent for his next outing, Stevenson has not ruled out a showdown with ‘Pac Man’, who comes off a contentious draw with Mario Barrios in July 2025.
Back then, Barrios was considered one of the sport’s weaker world champions but, nevertheless, Pacquiao received ample credit for almost claiming the WBC welterweight title.
This was in spite of him coming off a near four-year layoff and being far removed from his prime, when the formidable Filipino was stopping the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.
During that time, Stevenson had not even progressed to senior level as an amateur but, now, he happens to be one of boxing’s top five pound-for-pound stars.
The 29-year-old is also coming off arguably a career-best victory over Teofimo Lopez, who he dethroned to become a four-division world champion in January.
For Stevenson to even entertain the 47-year-old Pacquiao as an opponent is therefore disappointing to most, but Judah has told Ring Champs that, even now, a victory over the former eight-weight world champion would only improve his CV.
“In my book, that’s a great look, because now he’s stepping into another dimension where he’s taking out a legend. He’s putting a legend on his resume.
“And let’s be honest here: when it’s said and done, the only thing they’re going to do is go back to your resume and say, ‘Who did he fight?’”
In reality, the majority of fans are unlikely to give Stevenson credit for defeating Pacquiao who, prior to facing Barrios, had lost a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
