Bob Arum Backs Shakur Stevenson to Be the Next Lightweight Champ but Only if Devin Haney Does This

With a prediction for the future, veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum has announced that the new year will be very good for the former featherweight champion, Shakur Stevenson. Arum revealed that Stevenson is the potential lightweight champion this year. He also stated that if the current lightweight world champion, Devin Haney moves up his position, then he has to give up on some of his titles and it would be a great opportunity for Stevenson. And Arum is pretty confident about that. Stevenson is currently a top contender for the title, and if Arum’s prediction becomes true in the future, then it would be a very big achievement for him. Top Rank CEO’s remark towards Stevenson has sparked a new light in Stevenson’s fans.

Bob Arum is a veteran boxing promoter, over 91 years old and he is the founder and CEO of the boxing promoting company “Top Rank”. From a person like him, every word makes a gravitas to the fans.

What does Bob Arum have to say?

Bob Arum is one of the experts in the sport, and Shakur Stevenson is a former champion. Being a former champion in the featherweight category and a boxer of the ‘Top Rank’ promotion, owned by Arum himself, Arum is ready to bet high on Stevenson. But there is a condition that Bob Arum has given, and he is very much sure that the condition will be fulfilled soon.

Read More: Shakur Stevenson Unveils the Plan to Fight Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, & Vasyl Lomachenko in 2023

He stated that if the current title holder of the category, Devin Haney moves up a weight class to 140 Pounds then Stevenson’s journey to the title will be smooth. In a recent interview with boxing social, Arum said, “Hopefully we’ll be able to get him in position where he’ll be ready to fight for the lightweight title because Devin is soon to go up to 140 after Lomachenko fight and that will open up 135 for Shakur.” He further added praising the champ, “He’s a massive talent. There’s so many unbelievable talented kids in the sport of boxing”

As per some reports, Haney is troubling himself to fight in 135 pounds category, and he will enter 140 pounds club very soon. But what is in the room for Shakur Stevenson?

How will Haney’s move up to 140 pounds help Stevenson?

Devin Haney is the current world champion in the 135 pounds division. So it is very easy to understand that if Haney exits the division then Stevenson will be the next contender of it. But it is also to be considered that Stevenson has not entered the 135-pound division. Although he declared in September 2022 that this year he will enter the 135-pound division after two losses from Robson Conceicao. So If he enters and Haney exits, it is a possibility.

Although fans have demanded a fight between Stevenson and Haney for a long time, it seems there is no update on that. Stevenson is getting ready to fight his next, and Shuichiro Yoshino and Jamaine Ortiz are on the list.

What do you think about Shakur Stevenson’s new year goals? Let us know in the comments.

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