Boxing
Turki supports Shakur Stevenson after Benn defeated Prograis
Prograis certainly left a mark. Benn held his own, but he didn’t look like a guy to be wary of right now. More like someone who had to deal with a faded, smaller opponent.
It was a predatory move. Shakur Stevenson is one of the smartest ring generals today, and that intelligence clearly extends to the business side of the sport. He smelled blood in the water.
Benn got a victory today, but it was the kind of victory that lowered his stock rather than raised it. Standing on his hind legs right after the final bell, Shakur took over the narrative: Instead of talking about Benn fighting the 37-year-old Prograis, the boxing world started talking about Stevenson vs. Benn.
He forced Turki Alalshikh to his hand. By tagging the most powerful man in boxing, Shakur has secured a public endorsement that essentially puts him above Benn in the eyes of the check-signer.
Stevenson hasn’t been linked to Benn in recent weeks, but the performance opened the door for him. Benn won, but his rival was a 37-year-old opponent who was gaining weight and was clearly tired. The rounds were competitive and Benn did not distinguish himself in the way that might have been expected against his level of competition at this stage.
Stevenson expressed his opinion directly on social media: “If he lasts 12 rounds with me, I will be disappointed in myself 😂.”
Turki Alalshikh replied: “You are the best in your division now, there is no doubt about it👍🏻🥊.”
At 140 and 147, this version of Benn would fight some top names who operate at a faster pace and cleaner striking. Even some fighters at 135 would pose problems given the technical requirements.
Today’s performance suggests that the evolution we have been hearing about for years is mainly promotional language.
Benn seems to have hit a plateau. Against a faded background, Prograis still struggled with the same fundamental problems that had accompanied him from the beginning. He still prefers to throw challenging shots rather than set them up with sophisticated jabs or feints.
When Conor isn’t throwing, he’s a target. We saw this over and over again tonight. He lacks the head movement and footwork to deal with elite counter punchers at 140 and 147. When Plan A of physical intimidation doesn’t immediately take his opponent to the ground, it doesn’t look like he’s looking for a Plan B.
Tonight, Benn showed that he is a world-class fighter, touted as a superstar, and Shakur Stevenson took notice. If he can’t dominate a 37-year-old who’s making weight, how will he survive the 147 shark?
He also claimed that future options are already planned for Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence Jr.
“We are talking to Tim Tszyu and Errol Spence. All three have agreed to fight me.”
This is an ambitious statement from a fighter who has not competed since his defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2023. Charlo turns 36 on May 19, and many fans believe the long break should mean tuning in or fighting a challenger first rather than immediately fighting for the champion. Charlo, however, made it clear that he still sees himself as the best man in the division.
The problem is that Jermell is essentially trying to cash his 2022 check in a completely different economy. PPV prices on PBC have increased to over $75, and asking fans to pay that for a guy who hasn’t won a fight since May 2022 is tough. This is a financial risk for promoters.
Jermell is used to unquestioned ‘money. If he’s asking for a huge guaranteed amount to fight Fundora or Ennis, the math just doesn’t work for the promoter unless the bid is above $150 or $200,000.
In boxing, three years is an eternity. Since Jermell stayed noiseless, we’ve seen the rise of Xander Zayas and the emergence of “Boots” Ennis at 154.
“I told you I was coming back. I told you I wanted my stripes,” Charlo said. “Nobody beat me by the belt.”
Promoters aren’t calling because Jermell’s confidence is currently low. If the promoter puts him in the main event and he looks like the version of himself that did or didn’t show up in the Canelo Alvarez match, the event is a disaster. Financially, it could still be a disaster.
Jermell wants the reward of a champion without the upgrade tax that every other veteran has to pay after a long layoff. With 2026 filled with newborn, hungry and busy talent, thinking that you can simply move to the front of the queue because of what you did four years ago is definitely a bold choice.
If Jermell had just gone for it and beaten some of the top 154 fighters like Israil Madrimov, Bakhram Murtazaliev and Brandon Adams, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem.
Terence Crawford left boxing undefeated with little to prove, and yet Mauricio Sulaimán reignited an senior feud, describing the former champion’s retirement as “cowardly” in an interview this week.
“Fight in September for the world title. He has many options: Benavidez, Charlo, a rematch with Crawford, who cowardly retired, Bivol and Beterbiev. He is in a position where he can choose,” WBC president Sulaiman told Tiempo Extra.
This seems like a more personal than professional paperwork dispute. Sulaimán’s “cowardly” comment is clearly payback for the bridge Crawford burned on his way out.
When Crawford defeated Canelo in September 2025, he effectively retired as “King of the Hill” and then told the Neighborhood Association (WBC) that their membership dues were a scam.
During his Instagram Live tirade, Crawford refused to pay and devalued the entire existence of the WBC. Calling the eminent green belt a “trophy” that “doesn’t mean shit” is a direct attack on Sulaimán’s legacy and the prestige he strives to maintain for the WBC.
The WBC says it lowered its usual 3% commission to 0.6% ($300,000) to be “fair” and Crawford still hasn’t moved on it. By paying the other three organizations (WBA, IBF, WBO) but freezing the WBC, Crawford singled them out as the only organization he felt was not worth his money.
Crawford clearly stated that The Ring belt is a “real belt” because it is free. This is a nightmare for sanctioning bodies because it encourages other stars to realize that they don’t actually need pricey “alphabet” titles from sanctioning bodies to be considered the best.
Calling a 42-0 fighter who has just been promoted and trained by Canelo a “coward” is objectively absurd in a boxing sense. However, in Sulaimán’s language, “cowardly” likely refers to Crawford’s refusal to “stand and fight” in the boardroom.
By retiring, Crawford prevented the WBC from receiving the $300,000 he already owed them for the belt. Additionally, his retirement meant future billing for the massive Crawford vs. Benavidez or Crawford vs. Bivol.
It also prevented the WBC from formally stripping him as a punishment while he was still energetic.
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Last updated: 23/04/2026 at 12:28
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