Let’s be clear, in a loaded card, Shakur Stevenson‘s title defense signaled an unmistakable writing on the wall. The Newark native was scheduled to fight Floyd Schofield. When the latter pulled out after falling ill, Josh Padley stepped in as a replacement. As far as the odds were concerned, the fight barely witnessed a change.
Ahead of the Beterbiev-Bivol headliner, Stevenson toyed around with the Yorkshire-based part-time electrician who earned the top slot after last September’s emphatic win over Mark Chamberlain. Still to a few fans there nothing to write home about Stevenson’s ninth-round KO. Especially with talks of a potential matchup with Gervonta Davis gaining ground, his performance received tighter watch. A timely picture further added fuel to the fire.
Not everybody vibes with Shakur Stevenson’s style
Boxing enthusiast Ray Jackson shared a picture. It featured HE Turki Alalshikh flipping through his mobile. In normal circumstances, that might sound pretty normal. But the problem is the Riyadh Season head reviewed his phone while the much-anticipated fight between Shakur Stevenson and Josh Padley was in progress.
Turki Alalshikh was on his phone instead of watching Shakur pic.twitter.com/glxCzapaY3
— Ray Jackson (@RayJack97010720) February 22, 2025
Laugh uncontrollably, Jackson said, “Turki Alalshikh was on his phone instead of watching Shakur .” But this will not be the first time Shakur Stevenson has been trolled for his seemingly ‘boring’ fighting style.
Remember Oscar De La Hoya‘s epic, “Can someone wake Bob up? . The post followed Shakur Stevenson’s title win against Edwin De Los Santos on November 16, 2023. A similar pattern followed when Stevenson defeated Artem Harutyunyan six months later.
Many agreed with Ray Jackson’s deliberate pun alert. Let’s check what a few of the fans had to say.
His style just isn’t our thing
Let’s start with the usual sarcasm. “Watch what? The guy play paddy cake? Stevenson is the most overrated fighter since Andre Ward,” said this user. Though technically gifted, Stevenson’s low punching volume has always been a loop that keeps tightening. Thus, many deem his fighting style boring and uninspiring for today’s PPV format.
The situation resonated with another fan. “I don’t blame him,” they said. Perhaps given the developments that took place, when Floyd Schofield pulled out and Josh Padley joined, most knew which way the match would tilt.
For this follower, even in loss, Padley triumphed: “Hadley’s (Padley) stock went up more than Shakur’s.” Well, it may not be entirely off the mark. Despite entering the fight as the proverbial underdog, Padley gave a good account of themselves. Just that he was fighting one of the finest technicians of the era, against whom he had little to no hope.
140827) — NANJING, Aug. 27, 2014 — Gold medalist Shakur Stevenson of the United States of America reacts during the awarding ceremony of men s fly (52kg) of boxing at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, east China s Jiangsu Province, Aug. 27, 2014. )(zc) (SP)YOG-CHINA-NANJING-BOXING ChenxCheng PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
Nanjing Aug 27 2014 Gold medalist Shakur Stevenson of The United States of America reacts during The Awarding Ceremony of Men s Fly 52kg of Boxing AT The Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing East China s Jiangsu Province Aug 27 2014 ZC SP China Nanjing Boxing PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
“I yawned like the entire f**king fight,‘ this one mentioned. Given the pace at which Stevenson and Padley fought and the manner in which it concluded, to many it sounds like an overreaction. ‘Tank’ Davis also joined for a cameo. “Trying to get Tank to come smash him up,” said this fan. Given the back-and-forth between the two lightweight champions and HE Alalshikh hoping to make them fight one day, the Baltimorean’s invisible intervention to create a momentous square-off doesn’t sound outlandish.
Ultimately, it boils down to perceptions. What’s worthless to one is priceless to another.
There’s no denying Shakur Stevenson is one of the finest pure boxers of the era. But that’s a style unappealing to many, especially the casual fans. For the versed ones, there’s a clear distinction between a boxer and a fighter. The latter might excite, but if one gets a buzz out of watching the sweet science in an unfiltered form, then Stevenson has plenty to offer.
Why do you think so many may find Shakur Stevenson’s fighting style so bland?
The post Shakur Stevenson’s Reputation Takes Another Hit as Turki Alalshikh Pays the Price After Viral Moment appeared first on EssentiallySports.
