Why Eddie Hearn isn’t in a hurry to match Shakur Stephenson and Andy Cruise

When asked about the future mega fight between Shakur Stevenson and Andy Cruz, promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that he is not interested in making it now. He promotes both fighters, but says that WBC lightweight champion Shakur (23-0, 11 Kos) is a 135 “man”. Hearn says, “When Andy came.” Comments suggest that Hearn is not interested in putting them together for a long time.

(Credit: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom)

Save Shakur for the “tank”

Hahn signed Shakur with the aim of matching him for a huge mega money fight with Jevonta Davis. Tank’s defeat against Lamont Roach delayed these plans.

Hearn can do everything he can, but has far better offensive skills, so if he matches him with Andy Cruz, he throws Shakur at the wolf. Stevenson is a defensive fighter only. His defensive ratio is 10-90. In other words, he was only 10% focused on attacks to win the battle.

“Andy’s plan is to win a world title and unify all the boxing belts and win,” promoter Eddie Hearn said. Post-war press conference When asked about the possibility that Andy Cruz is facing Shakur Stevenson in the Mega Fight.

Cruz showed that he was the best fighter last night, lightest and best fighter in his previous match against Omar Salcido. It’s the guy that Hahn needs to focus, rather than banking Shakur on going anywhere with an outdated approach of the 1990s.

Zepeda threatens Shakur’s reign

It is likely that Shakur will abdicate next month by William Zepeda in their battle, held in Queens, New York on July 12th. Turki Alalshikh has already given the command of a runner on Riyadh’s season card, in his comment that he doesn’t want a “fight between Tom and Jerry.”

Shakur is the king of these types of battles and is the best runner in the lightweight division. That’s not a compliment. If Turki chooses to fight the way he wants a fighter in the event by staying in his pocket, he can show his heart by trading for Zepeda and lose.

So Cruz Figuring Shakur means nothing. He’ll be in the news yesterday. It will also be the second battle of Khan’s two fights with Shakur. He can let him go without trying to redirect him into a new deal.

“Runner” revealed

“Now, There’s no doubt, Shakur is a man of 135“But Andy wants to be a man too,” Hearn said. “When he defeats Muratara, you’re faced with Abdullah Mason (for the vacant WBO lightweight title), and you have (WBC 135-pound champion Shakur Stephenson. Shakur is looking for all those fights.”

Haan doesn’t have to be a glazing shakur. He is not a “135-year-old man” and is not nearby either. Stevenson was a classic runner from the 1990s and borrows the style Mayweather adopted when he was older. Andycruz is a few years away from Shakur in terms of talent. The 135 has at least five fighters, which is better than Shakur. He doesn’t know that now, as Stevenson has been cautiously in line with soft opposition since moving to 2023, like Josh Padley and Artem Hartignan.

“He wants to know what to do. I think Shakur will be able to compete with the champion at 135 pounds,” Hahn said. “Shakur knows boxing. He also knows how good Andy Cruz is. And I think he’ll stand up to the challenge. A 50-50 fight? Now Shakur is a 135-year-old man. When will Andy come? Let’s look into it. That’s what we want. The best vs. the best. ”

What is Hearn talking about in this “When Andy Comes” bit? Cruise is two years older than Shakur, 29, and has improved his amateur qualifications with Olympic gold medal vs. Shakur silver. Cruz’s amateur record is 140-9. Stevenson is 140-13. Cruz is now ready to fight all the top fighters lighter and lighter. He doesn’t need to be baby for five or seven years. This is a fighter with a short amateur career and no Olympic experience. He has been ready to fight something like Shakur since becoming a pro in 2023.

“They are two generations of talent. They are. They are great, great fighters at 2 pounds,” Hearn said.