By: Sean Crose
It should be lonely being Shakur Stevenson. The undefeated two division titlist is hoping to get a crack at WBC light-weight title, at present being held, together with all the opposite light-weight titles, by one Devan Haney. First although Stevenson should face a compulsory contender. Problem is, no contender seems to need to combat him in the mean time. At least that’s been the case with Isaac Cruz, William Zepeda and now former titlist George Kambosos. Those three properly regarded fighters have, for no matter cause, determined that they might not prefer to share a hoop with Stevenson early subsequent yr.
It’s all harking back to Herman Melville’s “Bartleby the Scrivener,” the well-known nineteenth century brief story the place the eponymous important character responds to requests with the maddening line “I would prefer not to.” Bartleby, nonetheless, was on the very least deeply troubled. The contenders Stevenson has needed to face are way more sensible of their considering. With that being stated, Stevenson has been understanding of Kambosos, who has simply gotten over a troublesome combat (his second loss in a row to Haney). “Respect champ,” he tweeted on the Aussie fighter. “I understand this is just the 3rd time I get rejected and I haven’t had one fight at 135 but understandable u been thru a lot rest up and when u ready I’ll be here waiting.”
Stevenson has cause, frankly, to be annoyed. Although Cruz and Zepeda could certainly have respectable causes to not face him in the mean time, as he himself agrees Kambosos has, it’s ridiculous {that a} fighter of Stevenson’s pedigree can’t get a bout with a excessive rating opponent. A win over the 19-0 Stevenson could be a profession making efficiency for any fighter. With that in thoughts, there are definitely simpler roads to a title than having to get previous one of the crucial properly regarded boxers on the planet. This is one thing Stevenson is conscious about as he searches for a brand new opponent.
With that being stated it seems that the broadly unknown Shuichiro Yoshino of Japan is likely to be Stevenson’s subsequent ring problem. He is probably not a family title, however the 16-0 Yoshino possesses an undefeated file and has gained all however 4 of his fights inside the distance. If he’s prepared to just accept the problem to battle Stevenson, the rewards could possibly be nice…although the dangers would possible be even better. Either manner, it might be the possibility of a lifetime for the WBC’s quantity six ranked light-weight contender.
