He is the hottest property to hit free agency. Promotional vultures are flying overhead to have a piece of him, but the question remains. Where is Shakur Stevenson heading? And he is not short of options. It seems he has dropped a hint about the road ahead, and he might already have upset some big names.

Stevenson, 27, completed his contractual obligations with Bob Arum‘s Top Rank when he comfortably sailed through against Artem Harutyunyan in a homecoming this past Saturday. For fans, the Top Rank remains the best bet to nurture young talent and help them propel into stardom. However, ‘Sugar’ and Top Rank failed to pen a new contract, despite a $3 million fight per fight, stretching to 5 fights. While there is budding bromance between him and Floyd Mayweather, to whom he was even video calling after the Harutyunyan fight, he holds Eddie Hearn in a higher regard as a promoter.

In a conversation with Naji on Cigar Talk, Stevenson, at 22-0, opened up about the various promoters. While Top Rank has visibility with ESPN, there is an emotional connection with Mayweather Promotions, which tried aggressively to bag him when he switched to pro boxing in 2017. But the Newark native gave the laurel of a better promoter to Hearn. He declared, “I’ve got nothing but respect and love for Floyd. He’s been talking to me a lot and helping me out… I think Eddie Hearn is one of the best promoters. Top Rank have ESPN. But promotion wise, Eddie Hearn is a better promoter.”

Interestingly, the British promoter had expressed his desire to add Stevenson to the Matchroom stable. Pointing out how the lightweight fighter had been managed “terribly,” he remained hopeful of a conversation if he were available on the market. It all depends on whether it all works out for both sides. Going by the recent trend, we might have to wait a while before we get a clear picture.

Who will secure Shakur Stevenson’s services?

Despite attempting to lure the WBC champion with a fight with Gervonta Davis on the offer, Matchroom Boxing won’t match the fight purse that Top Rank has put on the table. In addition, ‘Tank’ fights under the PBC banner, which has been reluctant to do business with other promoters. What’s more? Al Haymon might not be looking to add any more fighters, if Arum is to be believed.

Arum detailed the scenario when he sat down with Naji last month and admitted that the chances of Stevenson returning to Top Rank were high. The American promoter said, “Shakur [Stevenson] is between a rock and a hard place. If there’s nothing better, he’s going to come back to us.” But you should also put Mayweather Promotions as a wildcard on the list. ‘Money’ knows how to conduct business, and maybe he can be the move Stevenson needs right now to raise his stocks and popularity.

What do you make of these comments by Shakur Stevenson? Do you believe he will fare better if he switches to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing? Let us know in the comments below.