Shakur Stevenson has made for himself as a three-weight world champion and was seen imparting some advice on a rising talent.
Shakur Stevenson last fought electrician-turned-boxer Josh Padley in Saudi Arabia on the Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 card, and has since stated he wants to fight Gervonta Davis.
William Zepeda is another name that has been mentioned alongside Stevenson’s, though no fight has been made yet.
Stevenson was seen, however, attending the fight between Richard Torrez Jr. vs Guido Vianello, which had one rising contender on the undercard.
Shakur Stevenson gives advice to undefeated prospect following his KO win
Abdullah Mason faced Carlos Ornelas on the Torrez vs Vianello undercard in a fight for the North American Boxing Federation title.
Mason proved to be too much for 28-4 Ornelas and won by sixth-round stoppage, but Stevenson, who fans want to fight Jadier Herrera, noticed areas of Mason’s work that could do with improvement:
“I want to tell you something that’s gonna take you from where you at to elite,” Stevenson said.
“Every fighter in the first round is dangerous. Every fighter. So with your skills and everything you got bro you could keep guys outside […] For the first three rounds you still wanna be defensively aware and keep guys outside.”
He summarized: “Just understand, early on everyone is dangerous so you don’t wanna go out there just exchanging.”
“Teaching him how to run”… Fans are unimpressed with Shakur Stevenson’s advice to Abdullah Mason
Though the words seem to come from a place of kindness, some fans took issue with Stevenson’s sentiment:
“Shakur just doesn’t want him surpassing him and at this point… that’s the direction we are headed.”
“Translation: just run and be defensive like me!”
“He befriending all the good fighters so he can say they friends and not fight.”
Others, however, didn’t take issue with the advice, and praised Stevenson:
“That’s love! No hatin at all, love it! Need more of this within our communities period, not just boxing!”
Mason is now 18-0, whilst Stevenson, who has Pernell Whittaker tattooed on his leg, is 23-0. It’s possible the pair meet some way down the road, this time in the ring.