Shakur Stevenson sets sights on ‘one of the best in the sport’: “We have unfinished business”

Shakur Stevenson is determined to face one of his old amateur foes, insisting that they have “unfinished business” to address in the professional code.

The 29-year-old comes off arguably a career-best performance against Teofimo Lopez, who he unanimously outpointed and dethroned for the WBO super-lightweight title in January.

Since then, he has signed with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing but is yet to announce a date, location or opponent for his next outing.

If he chooses to keep hold of his WBO strap, then the American may be ordered to face former world champion Raymond Muratalla, who has become the sanctioning body’s leading contender at 140lbs.

In an ideal world, though, Stevenson would rather face WBC champion Ryan Garcia, who comes off a second-round stoppage of Conor Benn over the weekend.

The 28-year-old had claimed his world welterweight title by dethroning Mario Barrios in February and, during his post-right interview, Garcia was particularly vocal about wanting to fight Stevenson.

During the Paramount+ broadcast for his win over Benn, meanwhile, Stevenson expressed his own interest in their potential showdown.

“I would love to fight him. Me and him have unfinished business. We fought in the amateurs at 15 years old and he still cries about it to this day. It’s an amazing matchup; I’m one of the best in the sport and he’s one of the best in the sport.”

Stevenson won their amateur bout in 2013 and, even now, would be a sizable favourite heading into their contest.

It is likely that Garcia would also need to meet Stevenson at a catchweight of 144lbs, despite having campaigned at welterweight for his last three fights.