In a bold declaration, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson has named the best boxer in the sport, igniting a fiery debate among boxing enthusiasts. With his good friend Terence Crawford now retired, Stevenson has shifted his focus to another formidable fighter, Dmitry Bivol, and proclaimed him as the current king of the ring.
Stevenson, on the cusp of joining the elite pound-for-pound top five, has an impressive undefeated record and has conquered three weight divisions, with a fourth on the horizon in his upcoming battle against Teofimo Lopez.
But here's where it gets controversial... Stevenson's pick for the best boxer isn't the typical fan favorite. Most boxing fans would argue that the top spot is a tie between Oleksandr Usyk and Naoya Inoue, both multi-weight undisputed champions with unblemished records.
However, in a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, Stevenson praised Bivol's traditional style and fundamental mastery. He highlighted Bivol's basic yet effective approach, noting his ability to keep his hands up, maintain a steady one-two combination, and showcase exceptional footwork. Stevenson believes Bivol's movement and mastery of the fundamentals make him incredibly difficult to beat, and he ranks him as the best active boxer, aside from himself, of course.
Bivol, who has been inactive for 11 months since his victory over Artur Beterbiev to claim the undisputed 175lb title, is expected to return to the ring this spring to face IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert.
So, who do you think deserves the title of the best boxer? Is it the traditionalist Bivol, or one of the fan favorites, Usyk or Inoue? Let us know in the comments and join the discussion!
