By Sean Jones: Shakur Stevenson says he’s leaning towards Terence Crawford’s win over Errol Spence Jr on July 29.
Shakur sees the undisputed Spence vs. Crawford as a fight similar to Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Marvin Hagler in the 80s, with two strong punchers fighting from start to finish.
Stevenson doesn’t see this duel ending in a heist because someone will lose decisively. Spence (28-0, 22 KOs), returning from a long 15-month hiatus, will put the IBF, WBA and WBC belts up to 147 pounds on the line.
For his part, Crawford will have his WBO belt on the line. Crawford fought last December, stopping David Avanesyan in the sixth round. Crawford’s last high-profile fight was two years ago against Shawn Porter in 2021.
Crawford turns 36 in September and it’s hard to say how much he has left as he has been plagued by inactivity since 2020.
Spence-Crawford will be a classic
“Yes, I told people I didn’t tell people when they asked me. I’m like, hey, you know, a lot of people were mad that the fight didn’t happen, but I told people that fights don’t happen when they’re supposed to. If it didn’t happen, it just wasn’t supposed to happen at that time,” said Shakur Stevenson Verified on Errol Spence Jr vs. Terence Crawford.
“I have a lot of love for Errol Spence and I have a lot, I have a lot of love for my brother Terence Crawford. I play with my brother (Bud) but nothing but love and respect for Errol. I can’t wait to watch the fight.”
“I think it’s going to be a classic. I think it will be something like Leonard-Hagler. It will be an amazing fight to watch with two highly skilled fighters,” Shakur continued about the Spence-Crawford fight.
“I think he’s a master of the basics. Like he knows what he’s doing. For example, if you watch Errol’s fight, if you pay attention to how he fights, watch how many punches you throw. I don’t know anyone who throws as many punches as Errol Spence.
“I think with him; all around. Returning Warrior; that’s how I look at him when they say the words “back to the past” and just put it on everyone,” said Shakur.
Crawford = Former competitor
“I just think Bud is a real fighter who goes back to the past. He reminds me of a Tommy Hearns type,” Stevenson said.
“I think he might be 34. I think he may actually be 35. This dude is 21 in real life. I’m talking about him doing something like going here all day and playing basketball; he’s coming here to do something. He is non-stop. This dude is like a little dude, like he’s non-stop. It’s crazy.
“I think I’ll be leaning more towards a knockout, I think, with both fighters. I think most of them are like purebred racials like they want to fight like I honestly feel no matter how they fight no matter how much we imagine a fight or how elite level they all call it that I think both dudes have the urge to punch each other,” Stevenson said.
Someone’s O has to go
“It won’t be a robbery.” No, no, it won’t be a heist, someone has to go,” Shakur said of how he views Spence vs. Crawford endgames.
“I just want you to keep listening and I want my fans to know that I am a boxer with heart. I train with my heart. You don’t have to worry about me falling down or doing anything that will spoil what I’m aiming for because I know my main focus is right here and that’s all I see.
“Probably August or September” said Shakur when asked when he would continue to fight. “To all my fans, I want you to keep listening.
“That’s why I put everything into it and appreciate the support of all my fans. It means everything to me, especially those who really know, like those who are really in tune and know what’s going on because there are a lot of people I watch boxing. Still, they just started watching boxing, and there are people who just heard about me and they’re all under my picture.
“Oh that dude, he’s not that good” and “that’s the dude you’ve all been talking about, like me. It’s like they don’t know I’m true so they just support me. I appreciate my fans. I love them and I’m giving it my all,” Shakur said.
