Shakur Stevenson finally delivered what many had been waiting for – an early stoppage win. To be clear, there was never much doubt about his victory. Stevenson was the overwhelming favorite against Josh Padley. However, it’s worth noting that this fight came under unexpected circumstances. Originally, Stevenson was set to face Floyd Schofield, but after Schofield fell ill and withdrew, Yorkshire’s Padley stepped in as a last-minute replacement. That meant Stevenson entered the ring with little to no preparation for his opponent’s style.

For quite some time, fans and analysts have questioned Stevenson’s resume and fighting approach. But his ninth-round technical knockout over Padley should silence many critics. Now, the big question looms – who’s next for Shakur Stevenson? Talks of a potential unification bout with Gervonta Davis have lingered, but Davis has remained noncommittal. If that fight doesn’t materialize, who else could be in line? Here are three possible opponents based on the current lightweight landscape.

William Zepeda – A Long-Awaited Clash?

Zepeda’s name has frequently been linked to Stevenson. In fact, before Stevenson was paired with Schofield, the Newark-born southpaw was originally slated to fight William Zepeda. However, that bout fell through after reports emerged that Zepeda had suffered an arm injury.

Now that Stevenson is done with Padley, a fight with Zepeda could finally take place. The matchup would be intriguing, not only because of their stylistic contrast but also due to Zepeda’s status as the WBC interim titleholder. With both fighters eager to prove their dominance, this could be the perfect opportunity to settle their unfinished business.

Joe Cordina – A Rescheduled Showdown?

Another fight that remains unresolved is one against Joe Cordina. The Welsh-Maltese fighter was originally set to face Stevenson on the October 12 Beterbiev-Bivol undercard, but the fight was canceled after Stevenson suffered a hand injury.

Cordina, currently ranked sixth by the WBC, is known for his technical boxing style—one that mirrors Stevenson’s in many ways. While Cordina recently suffered his first career loss to Anthony Cacace, a bout with Stevenson could still appeal to purists who enjoy high-level boxing skills. The question remains: Would this matchup, probably a title challenge, generate enough excitement?

Keyshawn Davis – A Tough Decision?

This potential matchup comes with complications. Stevenson and Keyshawn Davis share a close bond, with Davis previously stating that he doesn’t wish to fight Stevenson. However, if Gervonta Davis remains unavailable and Vasiliy Lomachenko‘s status is uncertain, a showdown between the two could become inevitable.

If a fight with Keyshawn Davis doesn’t materialize, what’s next? Would Stevenson consider moving up to 140 pounds? Terence Crawford has praised both Stevenson and Davis as the only lightweights capable of beating Gervonta Davis. Yet, despite the ongoing speculation, Stevenson’s path remains unclear.

Does a Fight with Gervonta Davis Still Have a Chance?

‘Tank’ Davis, like Stevenson, has his own battle ahead – he is set to defend his title against Lamont Roach Jr. next weekend. But after that, the same question will apply to him: Who’s next? With Davis hinting at retirement, he may be looking for big-money fights before stepping away. Could that leave the door open for a long-awaited clash with Stevenson after all?

What do you think? Who should be Shakur Stevenson’s next opponent? Are there any other names that deserve consideration?