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Shakur StevensonThe defensive genius and ring IQ have drawn comparisons to some of boxing’s all-time greats – and Floyd Mayweather Jr. has now added his own sound approval.
Stevenson is preparing for the biggest fight of his career on January 31. when he faces WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden. A victory would make Stevenson a four-division world champion and cement his status as one of the sport’s best fighters.
To date, Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) has never looked like losing in nine world title fights, although his most recent outing against William Zepeda was arguably his toughest test. Zepeda attempted to impose his aggressive style, but was outwitted and outmaneuvered by Stevenson’s supreme skills.
Mayweather, who retired undefeated after 50 fights, sees parallels with Stevenson’s dominance and praised the American for his reign at 135 pounds, where he has held the WBC title since November 2023. Ring Magazine DailyMayweather has put Stevenson in the same conversation as one of boxing’s greatest defensive masters.
“The most skilled fighter at 135 would definitely be Shakur Stevenson. It’s really all about skill. Pernell Whitaker wasn’t a huge puncher but he was very exciting, very tough and he fought everyone. And Shakur is trying to do the same thing. He wants to fight the best of them.”
Whitaker, known as “sweet pea” was one of the most technically gifted fighters of his generation. A four-weight world champion and Olympic gold medalist, he reigned at lightweight, welterweight, welterweight and welterweight during a career spanning the 1980s and 1990s. Renowned for his elusive moves and defensive wizardry, Whitaker could control the pace of a fight and frustrate his opponents with near-perfect timing and anticipation – qualities that Mayweather sees today reflected in Stevenson.
If Stevenson can defeat Lopez at the Garden, he won’t just add another belt — he’ll stake his claim among the sport’s elite, following in the footsteps of the very fighters he’s often compared to.
