Promoter Bob Arum (Top Rank) has been hatching plans for a long time to bring together in a face-to-face confrontation their near-pound top fighters – American Shakur Stevenson (18-0, 9 KOs) and Ukrainian Vasily Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs).
The fighters are well acquainted, previously sparred together. Bi-Division Conqueror and Unified Super Featherweight Champion
Stevenson remembers those sparring matches: Yes, I’ve been through this before. So I have no cause for concern. I will do my job 100% – I will beat anyone who is put in front of me. And one moment. Sparring and fighting are still too different. I can only speak for myself. You know, I’m that motherfucker. I don’t care who’s in front of me. Spit during sparring and during the fight.
Stevenson respects the two-time Olympic champion and the conqueror of three divisions Lomachenko: “I’m not going to throw a fan at him. I know he’s good. But I also know that I’m even better. Lomachenko or Devin Haney? I don’t know with whom it would be more difficult for me. Not sure. But I also have nothing but respect for Haney. He has all the division belts now, so he’s the top lightweight boar now.”
Stevenson will soon return to the ring – in September, in his native Newark, he will fight with the Olympic champion from Brazil, Robson Conceição. It is possible that after that he will immediately go to the lightweights.
But the ex-champion from Ukraine, apparently, will resume his career in October – we have prepared a note on this topic: The return of Lomachenko. Top 16 options for October.
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