After two Olympic gold medals and championship wins across three weight divisions, is Vasyl Lomachenko really a ‘Duck’chencko’ or ‘Scary’chencko’ as Shakur Stevenson called him? After taking fans and followers’ hopes to new heights, the heartbreaking news of the collapse of talks for a mega-fight between Gervonta Davis and Vasyl Lomachenko emerged. Multiple reports suggest ‘Loma’ doesn’t want a fight this year. He might come back next year, but this might as well be for a title defense. So what happens to ‘Tank’ Davis now?

Kenny Ellis, who usually appears reticent both in and around the ring, has been expressing his anger at Vasyl Lomachenko’s gesture in the most unusual manner. Fans are amazed at the memes that have been popping up from his social media posts. So speaking at ‘Mill City Boxing’, coach Ellis laid out the next possible matchups for his famous charge. Within the lightweight division sans ‘Loma’, there are quite a few options for the Baltimorean to go against. But none attracts more attention, almost to the Lomachenko matchup level, than the potential fight with Shakur Stevenson. They might as well make a quick move, or else tongues might start wagging.

Unexpected Turn: Shakur Stevenson inches towards the battle with ‘Tank’

The podcast host asked for Kenny Ellis’ reaction after he heard the news of Vasyl Lomachenko’s staying out of a fight this year. “That he’s ducking… he is straight ducking… straight ducking…” said ‘Tank’ Davis’ long-time trainer. The next question followed.

“You think that continues; do you think he retires… and you guys don’t get the fight? What are you thinking in your head right now?” The host wanted to know. Kenny Ellis stated matter-of-factly that Vasyl Lomachenko should retire. Though, on account of the weak audio, it wasn’t clear what he said. However, it seems that Coach Ellis believes that Shakur Stevenson won’t follow in the Ukrainian champion’s footsteps.

The host persisted in asking why the renowned trainer felt so. Kenny Ellis replied that the team might as well approach the Newark-born Southpaw, the WBC champion. Otherwise, people may start talking about ‘Tank’ avoiding a fight with him. Along with WBO’s Denis Berinchyk and the number one contender across the four sanctioning bodies, William Zepeda and Stevenson remain Davis’ best bets for a big fight.

Denis Berinchyk became a champion this May, so outside of the boxing diehards, very few know about him. As far as Zepeda is concerned, the match with ‘Tank’ Davis makes for an exciting proposition. But at this stage, when his career is going great guns, whether the Baltimorean would risk everything to face a heavy-hitting non-title holder remains a big question.

Why the Gervonta Davis-Shakur Stevenson showdown might make some sense

So why not go against someone with a contrasting style to make for an exciting and intriguing round of dancing? Gervonta Davis remains one of boxing’s finest hitters. He is gifted with an outstanding ring generalship. Against him, you will have an Olympic silver medalist who has made a name for himself as a defensive genius.

A title-unification makes all the more sense. In case of victory, Gervonta Davis can once again route back to Vasyl Lomachenko next year and await his response. If the Ukrainian champion once again refuses to enter into a contract, he would rather prove the doubters’ point that he had been avoiding ‘Tank’ all along. The only glitch the potential fight might come across is Stevenson’s current status as a free agent. The fight against Artem Harutyunyan was his last under the Top Rank banner.

Hence, both camps might have to go through the deal with the utmost care to ensure that the fight eventually happens by this year or early next year without fail.

What’s your take on the ‘Tank’ Davis-Shakur Stevenson fight? Do you think the title unification should happen now that Lomachenko has moved out?