Shakur Quick RESPONSE To Oscar Making Fun of & Rejected Him For Golden Boy Promotion | HO
At a crossroads in his career, Shakur Stevenson is evaluating offers and considering his next steps. Top Rank reportedly offered Stevenson a lucrative five-fight contract worth a minimum of $15 million, but Stevenson had his sights set on something more.
Oscar De La Hoya, a former boxing champion known for his keen eye for talent, expressed interest in Stevenson when he became a free agent. De La Hoya publicly praised Stevenson and suggested a potential fight. However, in a surprising move, De La Hoya later ruled out signing Stevenson, stating, “You’re a free agent, great fighter, great talent, but not for me.” He cited philosophical differences, emphasizing that he couldn’t promote fighters who weren’t fighting for the public.
Stevenson responded on social media, suggesting De La Hoya was upset because he wasn’t signing with Golden Boy Promotions. This public exchange highlighted the tension between the two camps. Stevenson praised his former promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, leading to speculation he might return there.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered a fight between Stevenson and William Zepeda, a rising star under Golden Boy. De La Hoya expressed displeasure with this mandate, questioning the WBC’s rationale. He emphasized philosophical differences, noting that Stevenson’s style and approach in the ring did not align with his promotional philosophy.
Tensions between Stevenson and De La Hoya were evident when Stevenson accused De La Hoya of using him for publicity. Despite Stevenson’s frustration with a lack of high-profile opponents, he remains a lightweight world champion. His recent interactions with De La Hoya suggest a potential fight with Zepeda could happen, but nothing is confirmed yet.
De La Hoya acknowledged Stevenson’s talent but stressed the importance of marketability and finding the right opponents. He compared the situation to his experience promoting Floyd Mayweather Jr., who successfully faced strong opponents. De La Hoya expressed concern that Stevenson might struggle against top lightweight fighters, highlighting the need for careful matchmaking to maintain his marketability.
The possibility of signing Stevenson depends on finding the right opponents and ensuring his market value. De La Hoya emphasized the importance of fighting for the fans, who pay for tickets and pay-per-views. While a fight between Stevenson and Zepeda would draw good ratings, De La Hoya believes Stevenson would likely lose, necessitating a rebuilding phase with easier opponents.
Despite the challenges, Stevenson remains interested in fighting Zepeda. The WBC’s mandate makes this matchup highly likely, but the complexities of promotional relationships in boxing add layers of uncertainty to Stevenson’s career path.
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