On 6th July, Shakur Stevenson recorded a one-sided victory against Artem Harutyunyan in his hometown fight in Newark, New Jersey. However, the hometown hero’s performance put a damper on the celebratory mood as the WBC lightweight champion was soon deemed “boring” by many. Despite being one of the best defensive boxers who rarely gets hit, the boxing world heavily criticized Stevenson for a lack of action in the ring. Clips were circulating of fans leaving the Newark arena before the fight was even over. Fans weren’t fond of this method in his fight against Edwin de Los Santos in December last year, either.

After the fight, American rapper Mason Betha, aka Mase, called out Stevenson on his podcast and stated “I don’t wanna see Shakur fight,” criticizing his boxing style. The 27-year-old boxer was not a fan of this criticism and hit back at Mase, even calling his rap career a failure. In a recent episode of the ‘It Is What It Is’ podcast, Camron Giles aka Cam’ron, Mase’s co-host, asked Mike Tyson about the criticism directed at Shakur over his fighting style, and his lack of fortitude when it comes to dealing with it. While replying to the question, the legendary heavyweight champion was not particularly kind towards his fellow boxer.

Learn to handle criticism, Shakur Stevenson!

Giles laid down the fact that Stevenson was angry at their criticism of him and asked Mike Tyson if he used to respond to criticism in such a manner. “They are entitled to their opinion,” Iron Mike began. The 57-year-old was clear that a boxer should have a thick skin and should know how to handle criticism as it is a part of the sport.

But according to Tyson, the one fact that remains is that even if you are a boxer, you can’t fight everyone, so just accept that fact and move on. Iron Mike continued, “I may be a little sh*tty about it, but they are entitled to their own opinion. I am not gonna kick your a** about it. It’s your opinion.” In a three-decade-long career, Tyson has been on the receiving end of many negative things, but he has always handled it like a professional. Well, most times.

In his opinion, it works to just keep building on your skills because that will help you in the long term more than hitting out at the critics. “If you can’t handle criticism, get out the game. You can’t kick everybody’s a**. Too many people have their own opinions. You just gotta accept it and go on,” he said in a constructive manner.

On the same podcast, Mase asked Mike Tyson to choose between Stevenson and Gervonta Davis in a match-up. Tyson was excited about the fight, and according to him, there can only be one winner.

Mike Tyson goes for the obvious choice

Tyson accepted the fact that Tank vs Shakur would be an amazing fight, but there can only be one winner. According to the youngest heavyweight champion in history, Davis has a clear advantage. “Wow, that’s a good fight. I’m going with Tank. It would be a very interesting fight. To bring out the best in Shakur you gotta pressure him like Tank. Tank will bring out the best in him. Tank is just a monster.” Tyson talked about the momentum of Davis, who has not lost a single fight in his career so far. And has also done so, dominantly.

He was also adamant that Tank would bring out the best of Stevenson and the latter would have to come out of his shell during the fight. No one has ever pressured Shakur Stevenson to his full limits. Therefore, a fight with Gervonta Davis would get Stevenson to put his best self forward.

Davis’s performance against Frank Martin was a clear indication of the level that the 30-0 boxer had reached and you can’t defeat him just by being on the defensive. In his last fight against De Los Santos, Stevenson did not hit double-digit punches in any round and he won’t be able to win like that against Gervonta Davis.

What do you think about Shakur Stevenson’s response to Mase? And who are you picking between him and Gervonta Davis? Let us know your thoughts down below.