Shakur Stevenson says he’d combat light-weight prospect Abdullah Mason sooner or later. WBC 135-lb champion Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) says he respects the 20-year-old Mason, and he doesn’t assume Prime Rank ought to rush him in his profession.
The Bedford, Ohio native Mason appears to be like like a can’t-miss future famous person and a much better expertise than Shakur. Prime Rank invested cash in Shakur’s profession, signing him out of the 2016 Olympics, however he’s not gained over followers regardless of capturing three division world titles.
That cash was wasted as a result of Shakur’s recognition failed to extend, and he left Prime Rank not too long ago in favor of signing with Matchroom. That marriage might not final if Shakur loses or his fights fail to draw curiosity.
Stevenson’s hit-and-not-get-hit preventing type isn’t entertaining for this technology’s followers, who don’t benefit from the outdated Mayweather preventing strategy. That didn’t match this period’s followers, who like motion moderately than the peck-and-scat type that Shakur makes use of.
Mason, 5’9″, is likely to be too massive and highly effective for Shakur, who can’t punch and regarded poor final November in his conflict towards Edwin De Los Santos in Las Vegas. Shakur doesn’t seem like he’s able to dealing with an enormous puncher like Mason.
It won’t be aggressive if that combat occurs in two to 3 years. Shakur’s profession may very well be on skidrow, very like Regis Prograis’ after subsequent 12 months, and he wouldn’t be price preventing.
It’s unknown the place Shakur’s profession will probably be after 2025. If #1 WBC contender William Zepeda destroys him in February, as many individuals consider would be the case, a combat between him and Mason may by no means occur. Shakur could be confronted with some robust selections in his profession about whether or not to remain at light-weight or transfer as much as 140 and attempt to reinvent himself.
Zepeda has already crushed fighters who use the identical pull-back type that Shakur makes use of, and he made it look simple. He averages 100.2 punches thrown per spherical, and he hits arduous to the physique and head. Shakur may very well be doomed towards Zepeda.
The three-year professional, Mason, is going through Yohan Vasquez (26-5, 21 KOs) in an eight-round combat subsequent month on the undercard of Keyshawn Davis vs. Gustavo Lemos on November eighth on the Scopes Enviornment in Norfolk, Virginia. The occasion will probably be proven stay on ESPN+.
Greg Hackett: “In the event you ever bought the prospect, would you combat Abdullah Mason?” mentioned Hackett to GBHTV.
Shakur Stevenson: “Sure, I feel Mason is a good younger fighter. I don’t assume they need to rush him. I feel that they’re doing precisely what they’re doing with him; Prime Rank is giving him the best fights. Yeah, he’s working his means up. He’s working proper. I respect him.
“Most likely 40 or 47,” mentioned Shakur about what weight he expects to finish up in his profession. “I used to assume I’d get to 54. I ain’t grown in a minute. I’ve been slowing my development spurt.”
Mason has been stealing the exhibits, preventing on Shakur’s undercards, and making him and Keyshawn Davis look unhealthy with their performances.
