Keyshawn Davis defended his friend Shakur Stevenson against critics who label him as “boring” due to his defense-first style. Davis argued that such criticisms are misguided and that Stevenson’s technical skills, which have earned him comparisons to Floyd Mayweather, are often overlooked. He believes opponents avoid Stevenson out of fear of being outclassed. Davis also suggested that a potential fight with pressure fighter William Zepeda could showcase Stevenson’s ability to rise to a challenge, further proving his mastery in the ring.
Keyshawn Davis Defends Shakur Stevenson Against “Boring” Criticisms, Calls His Skills Underrated
Keyshawn Davis, the rising star in the lightweight division, recently opened up about what people often get wrong about his friend and training partner, Shakur Stevenson. Despite his success, Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion, is sometimes criticized for his fighting style — especially after a less-than-exciting decision win against Edwin de los Santos in November last year. However, Davis insists that those who call Shakur “boring” miss the bigger picture.
Shakur Stevenson, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, is a gifted and accomplished boxer. At just 27 years old, he’s already a champion in three weight classes. Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum has even compared him to a left-handed Floyd Mayweather for his sharp technical skills. Yet, some critics continue to tag him as a boring fighter due to his defense-first style and cautious approach in certain fights.
Rising Star Keyshawn Davis Sets the Record Straight: Shakur Stevenson’s Masterclass Style Is Not Boring
Davis, however, has a different perspective. He pointed out that Shakur is always willing to take on anyone. “You see him call out everybody,” Davis said. “And you’ve got to realize why fighters are saying ‘No’ to fight him.”
According to Davis, the label of “boring” is just a cop-out. He believes that the real reason some fighters avoid Stevenson is because they fear getting outclassed in the ring. “It’s just an excuse because people are going to watch Shakur — he’s a masterclass fighter,” Davis explained. “They know what Shakur can do to them, and they don’t want to get embarrassed.”
Despite the criticism, Davis believes Stevenson is unfairly judged. “The fans started saying he’s boring, and then everyone started jumping on that bandwagon,” he added. “That didn’t come from any fighter.”
Looking ahead, Davis sees a potential showdown between Shakur Stevenson and rising star William Zepeda as a thrilling match-up. Zepeda is a pressure fighter with an unrelenting style, and Davis believes that could be the perfect challenge to make Shakur step up his game. “Zepeda is going to make you fight,” Davis said. “He’s got IQ, durability, and a gas tank. He’s a complete pressure fighter.“
In short, Keyshawn Davis believes that Shakur Stevenson’s skills are often overlooked by critics who fail to recognize the level of mastery he brings to the ring.
