The boxing world is abuzz with the prospect of a showdown between Shakur Stevenson and Conor Benn, but one veteran boxer sees a clear winner: Andre Ward. In a recent interview, Ward, a mentor and friend to Stevenson, expressed his confidence in Shakur's ability to dominate the upcoming bout, despite the weight disadvantage.
"Absolutely, I love the idea of that fight," Ward told IFL TV. "Conor is a force to be reckoned with, but Shakur's skill set is just on another level. It won't be a close contest." Ward's prediction is based on Shakur's recent performance against Teofimo Lopez, where he showcased his elite level of boxing, winning all but one round and leaving Lopez in the dust.
However, the fight's potential is complicated by the rehydration clause. Stevenson insists on a stipulation that Benn weigh no more than 157 lbs, ten pounds over the welterweight limit, on fight night. This condition is a sticking point for Benn, who is not willing to comply, even though Chris Eubank Jr. faced a similar stipulation at middleweight for their matches. This disagreement could lead to Benn facing an alternative opponent, such as Rolando Romero or the winner of the Mario Barrios vs. Ryan Garcia bout, for a world title.
Despite the potential controversy, Ward remains confident in Shakur's abilities. He believes that Shakur's talent and determination will prevail, even in a higher weight class. The boxing community eagerly awaits the outcome of this potential blockbuster match, as it promises to be a display of skill and strategy.
