Josh Taylor praises Shakur Stevenson: Hints at potential challenge

On January 31, at Madison Square Garden in New York, Shakur Stevenson (25-0, 11 KOs) delivered a masterful performance in beating Teofimo Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) by unanimous decision, with scorecards of 119-109 x3. Since that historic win, which saw Stevenson win The Ring and WBO super lightweight titles, he has been stripped of his WBC lightweight belt, with many wondering what he will do next. 

The former undisputed super lightweight champion, Josh Taylor, has spoken to The Ring about Stevenson’s win and where he could face a challenge in the future.

Shakur Stevenson loses WBC lightweight title

The WBC statement regarding Shakur being stripped can be found below:

“WBC World Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson gave a brilliant performance, defeating WBO World Super Lightweight Champion Teófimo López.

Stevenson is now a four-time World Champion; a feat achieved by just a few boxers in history. Among those, we find Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, [Saúl] Canelo Álvarez, and [Terence] Crawford.

Throughout his career, Stevenson has maintained a historic and extraordinarily successful relationship with the WBC. His ascent to the top began in January 2019, when he captured the WBC Continental Americas title, signaling the start of a career destined for greatness.

In 2022, Stevenson solidified his elite status by defeating Oscar Valdez to become the WBC Super Featherweight Champion. Subsequently, in 2023, he moved up to the lightweight division to claim the Green and Gold belt, a title he defended with pride and technical mastery on three consecutive occasions.

Considering that Stevenson is now the reigning WBO Super Lightweight World Champion, and consistent with the WBC Rules & Regulations, the WBC has declared its Lightweight World title vacant.

The WBC wishes Stevenson continued success in all his future endeavors, both inside and outside the ring.”

Taylor praises Shakur Stevenson and teases future challenges

Reflecting on Shakur Stevenson’s win:

“I thought it was very good, I knew it was gonna happen because of my experience with Teo myself,” Taylor told The Ring. “(Stevenson) was very good; he stood in the pocket and used his defense and patient boxing. It sounds stupid but he was patient but aggressive. He was very sharp with the counters, he was stepping to him, he wasn’t moving around too much and created angles. It was good to watch.”

Praising Stevenson, Taylor said:

“He’s very good, (we’re) still to find someone who is to properly take him into the trenches and make him think and adjust mid-fight.” 

“I’ve not seen much out there [to challenge him]. I can’t see anyone beating him around that weight class,” added Taylor.

Looking ahead to future challenges for Stevenson, Taylor believes they will only come with a move to welterweight:

“There’s [Devin] Haney there, Ryan Garcia there’s still a few fighters who could make big fights,” he said.

Is there anyone that can beat Shakur Stevenson?