Many names have been linked to Shakur Stevenson since winning the super lightweight title, but there is one fighter who former sparring partner Regis Prograis believes will beat the promotion’s star pound for pound if given the opportunity.

Since winning the WBO 140-pound crown with a comprehensive defeat of Teofimo Lopez, Stevenson has been called upon to fight Conor Benn, Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis.

Another man who has demanded a fight with Stevenson is the two-time and current WBC super featherweight world champion, O’Shaquie Foster, who defeated Raymond Ford to defend his belt last month.

I’m talking to YSM sports mediaPrograis praised Foster’s talent, saying the only person who can beat the Texan is himself, despite the 32-year-old’s three previous losses.

“I’ve been saying this about O’Shaq forever. At one point I was number one in the world at 140 pounds, he was getting close to 130 pounds and I was telling people Shaq was the truth because his name is so miniature.

“He didn’t have a name, but for a long time I was always into Shaq. I’ve known Shaq basically since I was a kid, so I know how good he was, he was just, naturally, really good.

“He works strenuous and has an attitude. Shaq has been through a lot of things, and when you go through things like that, your attitude changes, you have a different way of thinking. It’s going to be strenuous to beat someone like Shaq.

“I really don’t think someone like him could be beaten, he can only beat himself, he has initial failures and that’s what happened to him, he kind of beat himself.”

Prograis – who recently said he supports Stevenson defeating Haney should they fight – then explained why he thinks Foster is the man to hand the star his first defeat.

“Yes, [I would favour Foster over Stevenson]. I’ve certainly been in the ring with Shaq more often, but I’m telling you, I beat Shakur.

“He’s a natural, he can switch; he can play southpaw and orthodox, equally good on both sides. Shaq can take a punch, Shaq has really good footwork, and Shaq has strength too. He doesn’t have that much one-punch knockout power, but he has strength that you have to respect because it’s going to hurt.”

“I know how good Shakur is. Shakur is a very talented fighter, but for me right now I have Shaq.”

To get into that fight, Foster would have to move up two weight classes and fight for Stevenson’s super lightweight title, or force Stevenson to withdraw and meet him at 135 pounds.

The World Boxing Organization announced Wednesday that Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez has officially relinquished his world junior bantamweight title, moving up to 118 pounds.

“The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has received and officially accepted confirmation from Team Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez that he is relinquishing the WBO Junior Bantamweight (115-pound) World Championship as he begins the next chapter of his extraordinary career by moving up to the Bantamweight (118-pound) division in his pursuit of a third WBO world championship in a modern weight class,” the organization said in an official statement.

Rodriguez, 26, of San Antonio is 23-0 with 16 knockouts. He previously held the WBO flyweight title, which he won against Cristian Gonzalez in April 2023, and unified with Sunlit Edwards later that year. He won the WBO 115-pound belt by defeating Phumelele Cafu in July 2025.

“Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez leaves the 115-pound division as a proud two-division WBO world champion and one of the greatest fighters of his generation,” the WBO statement continued. “His extraordinary talent, technical brilliance, unwavering professionalism and championship spirit have cemented his place among boxing’s elite and firmly position him as one of the sport’s greatest pound-for-pound fighters.”

The 115-pound weight loss is complete

The WBO announcement marks the end of Rodriguez’s departure from the junior bantamweight division, where he held the WBA, WBC and WBO titles. Coach Robert Garcia said this week that waiver letters have been sent to all three sanctioning bodies. On Tuesday, the WBC announced the vacant championship and in a statement thanked Rodriguez for representing the organization.

The WBO said the process to fill the 115-pound vacancy is already underway. “An official announcement regarding the championship vacancy is imminent and will be published shortly,” the statement read.

Vargas fights on Saturday in Glendale

Rodriguez will face WBA bantamweight champion Antonio Vargas 19-1-1 with 11 knockouts on Saturday, June 13 at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Card promoted by Matchroom Boxing in cooperation with Boxlab Promotions, broadcasts worldwide on DAZN. A victory would make Rodriguez a three-division world champion.

The WBO also hinted at a potential fight with its 118-pound champion. “As his goal is to win the 118-pound world title and ultimately face a future fight against reigning WBO bantamweight world champion Cristian “Chispa” Medina, we wish Jesse every success, good health and continued excellence in all of his future endeavors, starting with his upcoming fight,” the statement read.

“On behalf of the entire WBO family, we extend our honest gratitude and best wishes to Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez,” the organization added. “The doors of the World Boxing Organization will always remain open to a champion who represented the values ​​of excellence, honor and sportsmanship at the highest level.”

Mike Tyson trains like a man who has a fight booked. The problem is that almost a month after announcing the postponement of his proposed Floyd Mayweather exhibition, there is still no date, no location and very little sign of movement.

Just days before his 60th birthday, Tyson once again posted footage of the explosive combinations, edged moves and intensity that always sparks discussion among fans.

The former undisputed heavyweight champion looks in excellent condition.

The question is why he trains.

I’m waiting for Floyd

On May 20, a press release stated that Tyson’s appearance against Mayweather had been postponed after Tyson injured his hand in training.

The statement insisted that the event would remain in place and would be postponed until the fall.

There have been few reports since then.

There was no movement or significant advance from Mayweather himself, even though Tyson continued to prepare as if a comeback was just around the corner.

Despite training strenuous, Tyson may have to eventually find another opponent unless Mayweather joins his team soon.

Mayweather will face Mike Zambidis for the first time this month and remains linked with a potential rematch with Manny Pacquiao later this year. If these plans become a priority and move forward, Tyson could wait until age 60 while Mayweather focuses elsewhere.

Tyson gave every indication that he expected to fight again. The recording shows a man who, instead of simply keeping fit, is preparing for a date.

Training without answers

Tyson appears to be doing everything required of a fighter preparing for a comeback, but the only thing he’s missing is transparency.

The footage is impressive and the work ethic remains undeniable. But the biggest question about Tyson has nothing to do with how he looks on the pads.

What matters is whether the opponent you seem to be preparing for will actually be on the opposite side when the time comes.

For now, Tyson is training, although uncertainty remains.

The longer the silence goes on, the bigger the question becomes: Who is he actually preparing for?

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.