Shakur Stevenson thinks Turki Al-Shiekh will make the mega-fight between him and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in 2025 once he meets with the Baltimore native. Tank is going to have a high price tag for the fight. He’s already saying he wants $150 million to fight Ryan Garcia. He might want a similar amount to fight the non-engaging Stevenson.
Can Al-Shiekh Deliver?
Stevenson believes Al-Shiekh will be the one to make it worthwhile for Tank (30-0, 28 KOs) to want to fight him. That decision will hinder whether Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) wins his next fight against Floyd Schofield on February 22nd in Riyadh next month.
Another bad showing for Stevenson could sink his chances for a fight against Davis because the last thing he wants to fight is a runner unwilling to stand and engage.
Shakur just tries to win on points by using his hit-and-run style, assuming the judges will give him the decision. He almost lost to Edwin De Los Santos, and we saw him get chased around the ring by Robeisy Ramirez in the Olympics and beaten.
“He’s a good person. I’m glad I got the opportunity to meet him. I appreciate him for the opportunity, and now I get to showcase who I am,” said Shakur Stevenson to Pro Boxing Fans about Turki Al-Shiekh placing him on his February 22nd card in Riyadh against Floyd Schofield.
“Tell him, ‘Don’t run’” said Stevenson about his message he wants Schofield to be told for their fight next month. “He may try early to look for a knockout. Once he realizes he can’t get it, then he’s going to get on the back foot.
“I think that’s going to be a tremendous fight. I think he’s [Turki] saving boxing. So, once Tank gets with him, I think the fights going to happen,” said Shakur about his belief that Turki Al-Shiekh will make the fight between him and Gervonta Davis once he meets with the Baltimore native.
“He sounds like a businessman. I think he wants to make as much money as possible in the sport of boxing. That’s good for him,” said Shakur, reacting to being told that Tank wants $150 million for his rematch with Ryan Garcia for it to happen.
Stevenson’s Injury Problems
In recent workouts, WBC lightweight champion Shakur has been using only his left hand and gingerly tapping with his surgically repaired right hand.
That brittle-looking right of his looks like it could fall apart almost immediately once Floyd puts him under pressure in the first round. Stevenson will have no choice but to use to to try and keep the ambitious Golden Boy-promoted Schofield off.
If he’s fighting the 22-year-old Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs) with only one armed, he’s going to be forced to run all night to keep from being overwhelmed with power shots from the youngster.
