Shakur Stevenson has long faced criticism for his fighting style with Gervonta Davis being among his loudest detractors. The Baltimorean has often questioned Stevenson’s resume while discussing a potential matchup. So, it may have surprised even Stevenson when a member of Davis’ team recently defended him while evaluating possible opponents.

With Davis set for a rematch against Lamont Roach Jr., his long-anticipated showdown with Stevenson remains uncertain. It’s a fight Stevenson eagerly awaits. But if Davis declines, who’s next? Having called out Teofimo Lopez, the Newark southpaw seems open to moving up a division. Within 130 pounds, a bout with close friend Keyshawn Davis is unlikely, leaving Vasyl Lomachenko as the most viable option.

However, Team Lomachenko seems more interested in a fight with Tank. While a matchup with Stevenson is intriguing, his style remains a deterrent. Kenny Ellis supported the matchup notion but viewed Stevenson’s abilities differently. If the fight happens, the Olympic silver medalist may have the upper hand over the two-time Olympic gold medalist.

A recent episode of Mill City Boxing opened with a recorded interview featuring Vasyl Lomachenko’s manager, Egis Klimas. When asked whether Lomachenko would prefer to face Stevenson or Devin Haney upon his return, Klimas, who also manages heavyweight legend Oleksandr Usyk, stated that a fight with Davis would be more exciting. He reasoned that Davis engages more, whereas Stevenson is defensive and elusive.

“Shakur, I’m not going to take anything from Shakur. He is a very good fighter, but…he goes in a shell, he wants to get away, he runs away, and Tank comes to fight. [It’s a] more interesting fight,” said Klimas. So basically if Lomachenko returns, it seems more likely to be for a fight against Davis rather than Stevenson.

The host then asked Davis’s trainer, Kenny Ellis, for his thoughts on Klimas’ statement. The trainer agreed with ‘Loma’s manager. “I think him [Loma] and Tank would be a more interesting fight because something big is going to happen, you know what I mean? Um, people probably rather see that than him and Shakur,” he said.

Why Shakur Stevenson Holds the Upper Hand Over Vasyl Lomachenko

However, stylistically, he felt that Shakur Stevenson would have an obvious upper hand over Vasyl Lomachenko. “I think right now if he got in the ring with Shakur, I think Shakur would beat him,” said Kenny Ellis. He compared their defensive styles. Stevenson relies on distance and counterpunching, whereas Lomachenko’s defense is more aggressive and angle-based. Jamel Herring, who fought Stevenson in 2021, echoed Ellis’ thoughts.

Lomachenko has shown signs of slowing down. He starts fights cautiously, allowing opponents to accumulate early rounds. In recent bouts, such as the ones against Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney, he was forced to play catch-up late in the fight. Stevenson, who is known for his tactical discipline, would capitalize on this tendency. He will force Lomachenko to be more aggressive. But that will only make the Ukrainian champion more vulnerable.

“Shakur is going to rack up those rounds, and then it’s gonna get to a point he’s gonna frustrate you. He’s going to make you come to him and open it up,” the former world champion stressed. The potential Davis vs. Lomachenko fight has long been discussed and carries a compelling storyline, Herring emphasized. Given Lomachenko’s recent defensive lapses and Davis’s explosive power, it could be a dangerous matchup for the Ukrainian.

From a business standpoint, Lomachenko’s team may see it as a lucrative option while his name still carries weight. There’s speculation that Lomachenko’s team might push for a fight soon while his name still holds weight. However, as of now, his immediate or future plans remain uncertain. As for Shakur Stevenson, the praise from a member of Gervonta Davis’ camp only reinforces to many fans why a showdown with ‘Tank’ would be so compelling.

Do you agree with Kenny Ellis’s views on Shakur Stevenson’s skills?