Shakur Stevenson, the WBC lightweight champion, has fired back at Oscar De La Hoya’s recent social media post questioning whether he is willing to fight No. 1 ranked contender William Zepeda next.
In a post on Twitter, De La Hoya said, “Let’s see if Shakur Stevenson is still up for a challenge after the William Zepeda fight this Saturday at Cosmopolitan Las Vegas @DAZNBoxing.”.
Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) downplayed Zepeda’s (29-0, 25 KOs) threat level and mentioned that he would be ready to face De La Hoya whenever the opportunity arises.
While Stevenson’s next opponent has not been disclosed by his promoter at Top Rank, he is scheduled to return to the ring on July 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. It is important for his team to set up challenging fights for him against top competitors like Zepeda, Andy Cruz, and Raymond Muratala.
This Saturday, Zepeda will take on Maxi Hughes (26-6-2, 5 KOs) in a 12-round main event at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, airing live on DAZN.
If Zepeda emerges victorious in this bout, he could be in line for a shot at a world title, with Stevenson seen as a suitable opponent due to his defensive style and perceived lack of knockout power.
Stevenson Claps Back
“I’m always ready to step up to the challenge. I’ll be waiting for you,” Shakur responded to De La Hoya’s call-out to face Zepeda.
Stevenson’s team might consider avoiding a match with Zepeda due to his aggressive fighting style and offensive approach, which could pose a challenge for Stevenson inside the ring.
Many fans felt that Stevenson was fortunate not to lose his last fight against Edwin de los Santos in November. Had Stevenson not been the favored fighter, de los Santos’ relentless pressure and impactful punches could have resulted in a different outcome.
