Terence Crawford desires Shakur Stevenson, WBC light-weight champion, to proceed combating the way in which he does with out worrying in regards to the “backlash” he receives from followers and the media for his non-entertaining combating fashion.
Crawford’s recommendation to Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) may show poison if he listens to it as a result of he will probably be averted by the fighters he desires to face.
If Shakur, 27, is chosen by WBA light-weight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis this November, his possibilities of profitable are slim as a result of he isn’t partaking. He’s not going to beat Tank Davis, and he can overlook about being a controversial resolution like in his match in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos.
Crawford states that Shakur ought to proceed combating the way in which he does, so long as he’s “profitable in a style the place there’s no confusion about who the winner is, then you definitely’re doing one thing proper.”
Shakur in all probability can’t change his combating fashion to grow to be entertaining with out breaking him as a fighter. If Shakur fights with out transferring, Crawford should know that he’ll get knocked out and lose repeatedly.
Crawford makes use of among the similar strikes as Shakur, circling, pulling again, and holding rather a lot, so it’s not stunning that he compliments him.
“Shakur is among the finest pure boxers within the sport, if not the perfect. I inform Shakur – simply proceed to do what you’re doing,” mentioned Crawford about his recommendation. “Don’t fear in regards to the backlash that you simply’re getting for beating the man convincingly.”
Stevenson hasn’t overwhelmed any good opposition at 135, and he’s fairly clear that his profession will begin heading downhill as soon as he loses to Gervonta Davis until he’s protected by whoever indicators on the free-agent market.
If Eddie Hearn indicators Shakur, he’ll wish to match him in opposition to fighters at 140, and he’s too weak to struggle in that division. He can’t punch at 135, and it’ll be worse at 140
The issue is Shakur isn’t profitable the place there’s no confusion. Many followers thought he deserved a loss in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos final November. He didn’t look significantly better in his struggle in opposition to Artem Harutyunyan on July sixth.
It’s an issue that Shakur solely drew 8,000+ followers in his hometown of Newark, and followers leaving early is a sign that there’s an issue together with his combating fashion. If Crawford have been in the identical boat, he could be fearful and would assume, ‘How can I repair this downside?’
Crawford’s fights have been boring all through his profession, with him combating on the surface, switching stances needlessly, counter-punching, and never pleasing followers. As he’s gotten older, he’s scored extra knockouts, however he’s principally fought lackluster opposition aside from his match in opposition to Errol Spence Jr.
