WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson is not letting his boxing career come to a premature end.
Shakur Stevenson’s change of heart
Last month, Stevenson made the entire boxing community go into a frenzy after coming out with the shock announcement of his retirement. The undefeated three-division champion, who is one of the best in the world in the sport of sweet science, had taken to X (formerly Twitter) to publicize his decision.
However, it appears that “Sugar” has had a massive change of heart, as within two weeks of his retirement decision, the boxer revealed that he’s in the part of returning back to the ring, and wants to get into action in June this year.
“I’ll fight any and everybody this what I do.. See y’all in June💪🏾 #ChasingGreatness,” wrote Stevenson on X earlier today.
I’ll fight any and everybody this what I do.. See y’all in June💪🏾 #ChasingGreatness
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) February 13, 2024
Bob Arum pursuing contract extension for Shakur Stevenson
Even before his retirement reversal, Stevenson had been in the headlines with reports of Top Rank approaching him with a contract extension. According to a Mike Coppinger report, the five-fight, $15 million extension offer was declined by Stevenson.
All that being said, Top Rank chief Bob Arum is positive that they will get Stevenson to sign a contract extension, followed by which they will look for an opponent for him to fight on his return in June.
At the time of announcing his retirement, Stevenson had one fight remaining on his current contract with Top Rank. However, Arum paid little heed to the 26-year-old’s decision and revealed to BoxingScene.com, that he had already spoken to Stevenson’s manager James Prince as well as his co-promoter Antonio Leonard regarding his next fight at the Teofimo Lopez vs. Jamaine Ortiz fight night in Las Vegas last Thursday.
“I talked to Prince and Antonio at the fight [Thursday] night,” said Arum. “Shakur’s gonna fight in June and we’ve gotta figure out an opponent for him.”
A fight in June will mark Stevenson’s first fight since defeating Edwin De Los Santos via unanimous decision back on 16th November last year at the T-Mobile Arena, which earned him the vacant WBC 135-pound gold.
