In a bold declaration, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, a renowned talent in the boxing world, has named his pick for the best fighter in the sport, aside from himself. With the retirement of his friend Terence Crawford, Stevenson's focus shifts to another exceptional athlete.
Stevenson, with an impressive undefeated record and world titles in three weight divisions, is on the cusp of solidifying his place among the top five pound-for-pound talents. His upcoming challenge against Teofimo Lopez in a fourth weight class could be the defining moment in his career.
But here's where it gets controversial...
While most boxing fans would argue that the top spot is currently held by either Oleksandr Usyk or Naoya Inoue, both undisputed multi-weight champions, Stevenson has a different opinion. In a recent interview, he singled out Dmitry Bivol, the unified light-heavyweight champion, as the best boxer in the game.
Stevenson appreciates Bivol's traditional style and mastery of the fundamentals. He praises Bivol's ability to keep his hands up, maintain a consistent one-two punch, and showcase exceptional footwork. According to Stevenson, Bivol's movement and skill set make him one of the toughest opponents to beat.
"He doesn't just stand there; he's all over the place, and to me, he's the best [active] boxer," Stevenson said.
Bivol, who has been inactive for 11 months since his victory over Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175lb title, is expected to return to the ring this spring to face IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert.
So, who do you think deserves the title of the best boxer? Is it the undefeated Bivol, or is there another fighter who deserves the recognition? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on this intriguing debate!
