The path is clear for Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson to make an all-American lightweight unification fight.
Davis was elevated to full WBA Champion when Devin Haney moved up a division and successfully defended his belt with a clean knockout of fellow-southpaw Frank Martin.
Stevenson fought for the vacant WBC belt against Edwin De Los Santos and then defended it against Artem Harutyunyan, both wins coming comfortably over the distance but being criticised by some for being less than entertaining. Shakur hit back at the doubters by saying he would perform at his best when he faces the best.
Enter ‘Tank’ Davis, who is now without an opponent due to IBF Champion Vasiliy Lomachenko backing out of early negotiations.
What makes things simpler still is the fact that Stevenson has now entered a period of free agency after a long stint with promotional giant Top Rank. Head honcho Bob Arum, although he may not be involved in making it happen at this stage, predicted the fight earlier this year.
He told Boxing Scene that not only does he believe Stevenson beats Davis, but Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez do too.
‘Tank’s co-trainer, Kenny Ellis, recently said that the only way the fight won’t happen is down to fear on Stevenson’s part.
