Shakur Stevenson Rules Out Naoya Inoue Fight Talk Shakur Stevenson has dismissed the possibility of a potential matchup against Naoya Inoue, emphasizing the significant size disparity between the two fighters as a key factor in ruling out the idea. Stevenson addressed the topic on X earlier this month, offering a brief but definitive response when asked about facing Inoue. His comment, “He too small, It wouldn’t be fair,” underscores the current gap between the two athletes. The disparity in their weight classes highlights the practical challenges of such a matchup. Stevenson, who recently secured a victory over Teofimo Lopez, now competes at 140 pounds. In contrast, Inoue remains the undisputed champion at 122 pounds, having built his career across lower weight divisions. Despite Inoue’s gradual progression from light flyweight to his current weight class, the gap between the two fighters remains substantial, with nearly a 20-pound difference. The idea of a showdown between Stevenson and Inoue has lingered for years, fueled by their consistent presence near the top of pound-for-pound rankings. However, their career trajectories have diverged significantly. Stevenson has added titles in multiple divisions and is now linked to a potential move up to 147 pounds, further distancing himself from Inoue’s weight class. Meanwhile, Inoue has remained focused on his current division, super bantamweight, with no indication of pursuing higher weight classes. Stevenson’s response effectively closes the door on the discussion, acknowledging the appeal of the names involved while emphasizing the logistical and fairness issues posed by the weight difference. The fight, while theoretically intriguing, remains an impractical option given the current circumstances.#teofimo_lopez #shakur_stevenson #naoya_inoue #super_bantamweight #light_flyweight
Emiliano Vargas Says Body Shots Can Trouble Shakur Stevenson Emiliano Vargas, the 21-year-old ranked #5 by the WBO at junior welterweight, has already begun strategizing how to challenge Shakur Stevenson despite the latter’s recent dominance in the division. Stevenson’s rise to prominence accelerated after his decisive victory over Teofimo Lopez in January, where he captured the WBO 140-pound title. The win solidified Stevenson’s status as a top contender, but Vargas remains confident he can exploit weaknesses in the champion’s game. Vargas, who has been moving quickly through the ranks, acknowledged Stevenson’s performance against Lopez but emphasized that the fight was not without vulnerabilities. “Shakur looked amazing in his last fight, he honestly surprised me and a lot of other people,” Vargas told Ring Magazine. However, he pointed to Stevenson’s reliance on body shots as a potential weakness. “Teofimo was doing a great job when he was going to the body, and really, after that, he had his moments to the body, and then Shakur would keep him on the outside,” Vargas explained. The Mexican prospect believes that targeting Stevenson’s torso could disrupt his rhythm and create openings. “Shakur even said it himself, that he got hit with a body shot one time, and he wanted to throw up. I have been hit in the body before, and it doesn’t feel good. So, I think that no fighters like body shots,” Vargas said to The Ring. This strategy reflects Vargas’s belief that Stevenson’s physicality and defensive adjustments could be exploited if the fight ever materializes. Despite Vargas’s confidence, Stevenson’s performance against Lopez was nothing short of dominant. The champion controlled the fight from start to finish, winning all three rounds on the judges’ scorecards and showcasing superior power and stamina.#wbo #teofimo_lopez #emiliano_vargas #ring_magazine #shakur_stevenson
Rising Star with 80% KO Ratio Says He Has the Key to Beat Shakur Stevenson Undefeated southpaw Shakur Stevenson, who became super-lightweight world champion in January, faces a potential challenge from rising contender Emiliano Vargas, who claims to understand how to defeat the Newark fighter. Stevenson secured the WBO super-lightweight title by outpointing Teofimo Lopez in a world-class performance, marking his rise as a four-division world champion. However, his plans to return to lightweight were disrupted when he was stripped of his WBC 135lb title. Despite rumors of a potential welterweight move to face Ryan Garcia or Conor Benn, those matchups have shifted, with Garcia and Benn set to meet instead. Stevenson remains at super-lightweight for now. Vargas, a 21-year-old ranked #5 contender in the WBO, spoke to Ring Magazine about Stevenson’s vulnerabilities. He acknowledged Stevenson’s excellence in his recent fight against Lopez but emphasized a specific weakness. “Shakur looked amazing in his last fight, he honestly surprised me and a lot of other people so I give my kudos to him,” Vargas said. He noted that Stevenson’s strategy of keeping opponents at a distance leaves him exposed to body shots. “Shakur even said it himself, that he got hit with a body shot one time and he wanted to throw up. I have been hit to the body before and it doesn’t feel good. So, I think that no fighters like body shots.” Vargas believes targeting Stevenson’s body could exploit his defensive approach, which has been effective against some opponents. His comments suggest a potential future matchup, though the timing remains unclear. As the WBO’s #5 contender, Vargas could be given a title shot if Stevenson’s reign continues.#wbo #shakur_stevenson #emiliano_vargas #ring_magazine #newark
