Shakur Stevenson wants bigger fights, and he wants them now. After moving up to the 135-pound division, he has already clinched the WBC strap, but in a dismal performance against Edwin De Los Santos. But the American boxer is ready to put it aside and wants to carve out a name for himself. He wants to exchange punches with the likes of Vasyl Lomachenko and sit at the top of the division’s chain. Despite the “games and lies” and lack of eagerness among promoters and fighters, he has made himself “available”.

‘Sugar’ is on an upward trajectory, and after dominating featherweight and super featherweight, he is ready to dictate his terms in the lightweight division. Therefore, he wants to sweep out the bigger names first. The first name on his hitlist is Lomachenko. But it seems the boxing stars are not aligning for the Newark native.

Shakur Stevenson ready to take his career to the next level

Notably, Lomachenko will fight George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF strap and might then avoid fighting a risky fight with Stevenson. While the fans might like the idea of champion vs. champion at 135, Stevenson has accepted that might never happen. The 26-year-old expressed the same on his Instagram handle.

Stevenson wrote, “They don’t want it to happen so it may never happen.. They’ll let him [Vasyl Lomachenko] fight anybody but me.”

However, the WBC lightweight champion has also specified his intention to make the biggest fights this year. He penned his thoughts in a post on X. He said, “F*ck all the goofy shit this year let’s just make the biggest fights happen I’m available and ready if that’s what that side want.. But I ain’t wit all the games and lies for the media to talk about something this year let me know when y’all ready I’m down”

Ever since Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia moved to 140, Stevenson is seen as the future enforcer of the lightweight division. While he has some veterans to look out for, he is keen to go blow-for-blow with them. It’s no surprise that promoters like Bob Arum and Eddie Hearn also hold him in high regard.

Bob Arum and Eddie Hearn bank their faith in ‘Sugar’

Hearn, in a conversation with Fight Hub TV, has labeled Stevenson the “best fighter” at 135 pounds. The British promoter also believed Stevenson “beats them all.” While Stevenson is not yet at Gervonta Davis‘ level of stardom, Hearn would still bet on Stevenson to beat him.

Read More: Keyshawn Davis Reveals the No. 1 Reason 90% of Boxers Go Broke as He Makes His Case for Why Fighting His “Brother” Shakur Stevenson Doesn’t Makes Sense

Bob Arum has also voiced a similar opinion. When asked about the fighters who could defeat ‘Tank’, he listed Stevenson along with Teofimo Lopez and Vasyl Lomachenko. Stevenson has also chased a fight with Davis for a long time. It seems, with the latest comments, he has thrown his hat at any big name.

What do you make of these comments by Shakur Stevenson? Do you believe the WBC champion is ready for big fights? Let us know in the comments below.

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