By Felix Jesus Mendoza
The real boxing scene presents a possible change of course for one of its most prominent figures. After having ventured into the 140-pound divisionthe boxer Shakur Stevenson He expressed his initiative to return to 135 pounds if there is a direct opportunity for a world championship.
This possibility arises after a transition period in which the athlete from Newark He lost his lightweight monarch status due to administrative and internal regulatory issues of the organizations.
The recent trajectory of Shakur Stevenson was marked by his rise to super lightweight, where He managed to win the crown after beating Teófimo López. However, the stripping of his previous lightweight belt generated doubts about its permanence in said category.
Now, the prospect of facing established champions seems to be the necessary incentive for the boxer to make the physical sacrifice of losing weight again in the short term.
Interest in the IBF championship
During a recent interview, the athlete turned his attention to the division he previously dominated. The approach of Shakur Stevenson focuses specifically on the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title). The interest in this belt stems from the perceived competitiveness in the current monarchs and the relevance that recovering a throne in a division as disputed as that of the lightweights would have for their sporting history.
“I would love for that fight to become a reality. I think Raymond Muratalla is a great boxer, I certainly see a lot of good things in his style; he is tall, has good reach and a powerful right hand,” said Stevenson in an interview for The Agnew Podcast.
The analysis carried out by Shakur Stevenson On his potential rivals, he demonstrates a technical respect for the real opposition at 135 pounds. The boxer highlighted the physical qualities of the current champions, pointing out that the fighting styles current ones represent interesting challenges for their own defensive and offensive technique. This willingness to fight suggests that negotiations could begin if the contractual conditions are favorable for both parties.
The panorama in front of Raymond Muratalla
The situation of Raymond Muratalla, true holder of the IBF crownfacilitates the viability of this confrontation. Since the champion does not have an immediate mandatory defense on its upcoming schedule, the team Shakur Stevenson sees an open window to finalize the fight.
Muratalla has just defended his title successfully against Andy Cruz, establishing himself as a level rival for any contender who aspires to lead the category.
The final decision of Shakur Stevenson It will depend on the evolution of the conversations between the promoters and the confirmation of the fight dates.
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