SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 39: BOB ARUM SAYS LOTS OF FIGHTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SHAKUR STEVENSON TO UNRETIRE
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 07 Feb 2024
Shakur Stevenson in Las Vegas.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum clarified that the fights that Shakur Stevenson wants against Emanuel Navarrete and Vasily Lomachenko are not feasible at present because those fighters are taking advantage of available world title fights for the vacant lightweight belts.
* * *
Arum thinks that WBC lightweight champion Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs), who retired recently because of bitterness of not obtaining the fights with Loma and Navarrete, has to be patient because those prospective bouts will be come for him in time.
* * *
For the meantime, Bob says there are still lots of interesting fights available to Shakur at his lightweight division and he can take advantage of them. Although Arum did not categorically say who Stevenson can fight against.
* * *
"Shakur wanted to fight [Emanuel] Navarrete, who is the 130-lb [WBO] champion, now moving up to 135,” Bob Arum told Fighthype and Boxing News 24 about the retired Shakur Stevenson, still the WBC lightweight champion.
* * *
It’s difficult for Arum to arrange Navarrete to fight Shakur because his camp won't be going to agree to that fight unless there’s a bigger purse available. “Navarrete was ordered if he wants to fight for a title [vacant WBO 135-lb belt] to fight [Denys] Berinchyk, which the fight will happen."
* * *
"Then, as far as Lomachenko is concerned. Loma got a bigger offer; we got a big offer for Loma to fight Kambosos for the IBF [lightweight] title in Australia [on May 12th], which he took," added Arum.
* * *
“Shakur is the WBC [135-lb] champion. There are plenty of good fighters for him to fight. Obviously, down the road, we’ll be able to do a fight between Shakur and Lomachenko if he’s successful with Kambosos or with Navarrete if he becomes the WBO 135-lb champion," Arum said.
* * *
According to the veteran promoter, "Everything takes patience. Now, Shakur is a tremendous talent, and with a lot of tremendous talent, they become impatient. They want everything today or tomorrow. That’s not the way it happens in boxing."
* * *
"So, I understand his [Stevenson] frustration, but I also understand that now that he’s had time to reflect, he realizes that he’s got to be patient and the big fights will come to him,” said Arum.
* * *
Shakur has held multiple world championships in three weight classes from featherweight to super featherweight to lightweight. As an amateur, he donned the flag of the United States at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and won a silver medal in the bantamweight division. He is undefeated in 21 fights with 10 knockouts in the pros.
* * *
Sports History: February 7, 2023. LeBron James scored 38 points to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer as the Lakers were defeated by Oklahoma City Thunder, 133-130, in Los Angeles. He broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 career points.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WOOD-WARRINGTON II OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR SOLD-OUT REMATCH IN NOTTINGHAM
Sat, 21 Feb 2026"Rompete la Madre" documentary is now in the Mexican theaters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 21 Feb 2026A Massive Weekend Ahead for Renowned Trainer Bob Santos
Sat, 21 Feb 2026Barrios vs Garcia: Where Art Thou Ryan Garcia?
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 20 Feb 2026Pacman bout details revealed
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 20 Feb 2026IIEE to defend Billiard crown in PTC World 2026, World Champ Magpantay is PSA Awardee
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 20 Feb 2026Wood-Warrington II Press Conference Quotes: Everything that Was Said Ahead of Saturday's Sold-Out Rematch in Nottingham
Fri, 20 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Opponents for Rising Stars Jimuel Pacquiao Jr. and Curmel Moton on Feb. 28 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 20 Feb 2026Rising Star Promotions Returns to Prudential Center April 10 LIVE ON PROBOX TV
Fri, 20 Feb 2026Sante Barley Trilogy Leg 1 on March 29 in Azuela
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 20 Feb 2026Team Rapid chess tourney goes to Pasay City on March 8 By Marlon Bernardino
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 20 Feb 20263rd Horse Show & competition scheduled on February 21-22
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 19 Feb 2026Robinsons Bacolod Chess Festival set
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 19 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
Thu, 19 Feb 2026Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
Thu, 19 Feb 2026