Boxing analyst Tim Bradley believes Shakur Stevenson is deliberately taking on the role of a villain to artificially generate interest in his career by arguing with the media and fans on social media.
Mayweather’s handbook
What WBC lightweight champion Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) lacks in entertainment value in his lifeless, defense-and-safety-first fights, Mayweather-style, he makes up for in excessive arrogance.
Fans tune in to watch Shakur fights not because they expect to be entertained, but in the hope that he will lose and be knocked off his high horse. But considering the frail opposition he has fought, he cannot be defeated.
That said, Shakur probably deserved to lose last year to Edwin De Los Santos, but the judges saved him in this fight. He was put in this fight, but being the A-side helped him avoid a lot of the punches he would have taken if he was a regular fighter.
High ratings, low PPV potential:
“We’re talking about how nobody wants to watch him, and yet this kid is the highest rated on ESPN” [in 2024 for a boxing event] “from every player,” said Tim Bradley Fighting with excitement about Shakur Stevenson. “We say nobody wants to see him, but everybody’s got their eyes on him [for a fight on a regular non-PPV event on ESPN].”
Bradley won’t say whether the same fans would have watched if last weekend’s Shakur vs. Artem Harutyunyan fight had been on ESPN PPV. I’d say it’s a resounding NO. People wouldn’t be willing to buy a Shakur fight on PPV, but it’s a different story when it’s on free TV on ESPN. If Shakur’s villain persona works out, he’ll be fighting on PPV, not free TV.
“They’re fascinated by him and they want to see what everyone’s talking about. Even in his next fight, people will watch him just to criticize him,” Bradley said of Shakur.
Will the villain be able to conquer the lightweight division?
Being a villain won’t last a fighter long. Their rush will end if they don’t beat top opposition. Shakur won’t beat Gervonta “Tank” Davis fighting the way he did, and he’d probably lose just as badly to Abdullah Mason and William Zepeda.
Bradley notes that Shakur’s defense was so good that he wasn’t hit, even standing in front of Harutyunyan. He’s wrong. Shakur was hit by Harutyunyan, and quite often with neat right hands.
If it was Tank who landed those punches, Shakur would not have survived the fight without a knockout. Harutyunyan was going for heads throughout the fight, which made life easier for Shakur because it allowed him to stand in front of him and lean back to avoid his punches.
If Harutyunyan had the sense to target his body, he would have found him an uncomplicated target. A fighter like William Zepeda would be a nightmare for Shakur if he tried to fight him in a stationary manner, like he did with Harutyunyan, because he would throw his body around and stop him early, like he did with his last two opponents.
“I think this modern way that Shakur is attacking the media, starting with celebrities, is he’s trying to create a villain for himself and he’s using that not only as fuel but to attract more viewers, to generate more hate and to put himself in a position where a lot of people are going to believe that he’s going to lose and he’s going to win,” Bradley said.
The villain role worked well for Mayweather, as he carefully selected his opponents toward the end of his career, avoiding the likes of a newborn Errol Spence, Keith Thurman, Tim Bradley and even Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather didn’t fight Pacquiao until he was in his 30s and has recently lost to Juan Manuel Marquez and Bradley. Shakur can’t do the same because he hasn’t established himself as a PPV attraction and needs Tank Davis and Vasily Lomachenko.
Challenges of a Villain
“He’s going to look like a hero. Like he’s always planned to create this narrative so people can fight him, and he’ll be able to pay good dividends if he can do that,” Bradley said. “If he beats a guy like Tank, if Tank gets in the ring and fights him, that’s validation because everyone knows what Tank brings.”
If Shakur beat Tank Davis, of course, he’d look like a hero, but that’s unrealistic given his fighting style. The judges aren’t going to give Shakur a decision using his three-foot style, and he can’t stand in the pocket against Tank without getting quickly exterminated.
“Tank right now, if you put a poll, he’s the No. 1 guy at 135, according to the boxing world, according to people, he’s the No. 1 guy. Shakur’s probably second. So if he beats Tank, he’s the guy. So maybe that’s part of his [Shakur] “That’s the plan,” Bradley said.
In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
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