Promoter Oscar De La Hoya took to social media to call for Shakur Stevenson vs. Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis next.
Some fans believe this is a signal that De La Hoya is planning on signing that talented WBC lightweight champion Shakur (21-0, 10 KOs) to his Golden Boy Promotions stable.
Assuming Shakur signs with De La Hoya next, it’s a tall order for a fight to be made with the PBC-managed Tank Davis (29-0, 27 KOs).
“I want to see Shakur vs. Tank next,” said Oscar De La Hoya on X, talking about a fight he wants to have next after Gervonta Davis fights in June and Shakur Stevenson battles whoever in July.
The Challenge of Making a Real Fight
The Baltimore native Tank has been pretty well protected throughout his 11-year professional career, matched against mostly mid-level top 10 contenders, and kept away from the elite guys.
Davis will be turning 30 in November, and it doesn’t seem realistic that he or his management will suddenly change their match-making to face a talented phenom like Shakur Stevenson.
Shakur’s Free Agency: Time for an Upgrade
Stevenson, a former three-division world champion and 2016 Olympic silver medalist, will be a free agent after his July 6th title defense in Newark, New Jersey.
Shakur’s contract with Top Rank expires with his fight in July, and it’s believed he’ll be moving on, looking to expand his horizons with another promoter. Golden Boy Promotions would be ideal for Stevenson, placing him on DAZN, and opening up the possibilities to face De La Hoya’s and Eddie Hearn’s Matcrhoom Boxing stable fighters.
Potential Matchups If Shakur Signs
Devin Haney
Ryan Garcia
Subriel Matias
Liam Paro
Richardson Hitchins
Jose Ramirez
Arnold Barboza Jr
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis
Regis Prograis
Dalton Smith
If Shakur Stevenson wants to expand his options, he should vacate his WBC 135-lb title and move up to 140.
Staying at lightweight is a serious dead end because once he leaves Top Rank, it’s unlikely he’ll have the opportunity to fight guys like Vasily Lomachenko, Emanuel Navarrete, and Abdullah Mason.
Even with Top Rank now, he’s not getting those fights. It won’t get better once Shakur leaves.