Gervonta Davis Urged to Pursue Fight with Shakur Stevenson Over Vasyl Lomachenko
Gervonta Davis has been encouraged to prioritize a fight with Shakur Stevenson instead of Vasyl Lomachenko. Davis recently secured a dramatic KO victory over Frank Martin, successfully defending his WBA lightweight title. While several potential opponents await, promoter Bob Arum has revealed that talks are ongoing for a bout with Lomachenko.
Former world champion Paulie Malignaggi argues that the Lomachenko fight is overdue and insists Davis should face Stevenson, who is currently in his prime.
“I want to see Davis and Stevenson,” Malignaggi told ProBox TV. “That’s my issue with boxing. They make fights when it’s convenient for them when there’s an advantage. Davis looked terrific against Frank Martin. I was very impressed with the performance. But Shakur Stevenson is a different proposition. It’s times ten when Shakur is in there because he’s a tall, rangy southpaw with a lot more IQ and versatility.”
Malignaggi continued, “I’d love to see the fight because I want to see the best matchups. I think Davis is very qualified for that fight. Do I edge Shakur? I’ve always edged Shakur. But Davis is a thinker; it’s not just about his twitch and power. He understands how to set things up. I want to see them get it on now, in their prime.”
Davis has previously faced criticism for his choice of opponents but silenced many doubters with a significant KO win over Ryan Garcia in April 2023. Currently on a 30-fight win streak, Davis is one of boxing’s biggest pay-per-view draws.
Lomachenko, holding the IBF title, presents a unification opportunity for Davis, but Stevenson, who holds the WBC title, is seen by many as the more challenging and rewarding matchup. Fans hope that if Davis overcomes the Ukrainian, a fight with Stevenson for three belts will soon follow.
Stevenson, meanwhile, has announced his return, defending his belt on July 6 against Artem Harutyunyan. Boxing enthusiasts eagerly await the potential clash between Davis and Stevenson, believing it would be a defining moment for the sport.
