Here’s a bold statement: even the legendary Shakur Stevenson might not be the most feared fighter in the super-lightweight division. But here's where it gets controversial... Former two-division champion Timothy Bradley recently revealed that there’s another 140-pound contender he’d avoid before stepping into the ring with Stevenson—and it’s not who you’d expect. Let’s break it down.
Shakur Stevenson has been on a meteoric rise, especially after his dominant victory over Teofimo Lopez to claim the WBO super-lightweight title. Despite being stripped of his WBC lightweight belt in the aftermath, the 28-year-old Newark southpaw remains a force to be reckoned with. And this is the part most people miss... While Stevenson’s success is undeniable, Bradley argues that another fighter poses an even greater threat: Keyshawn Davis.
In a candid discussion on his YouTube channel, Bradley didn’t hold back. He admitted, ‘I would rather fight Shakur than fight Keyshawn Davis, and you know how much I respect Shakur. He’s a fantastic fighter, the next in line for the throne, but Shakur is the kind of guy who will humiliate you. Keyshawn? He’ll humiliate you and knock you out. That’s the difference.’
Davis recently made waves by knocking out Jamaine Ortiz on the Lopez-Stevenson undercard, his first fight since losing the WBO lightweight title. Currently ranked as the number one contender in the WBO’s super-lightweight division, Davis is a name that’s hard to ignore. But here’s the twist... Both Davis and Stevenson have publicly stated they’d never face each other due to their close friendship—a decision that’s sure to spark debate among fans.
Now, let’s zoom out for a moment. Stevenson has two paths ahead: he could move up to welterweight, where big names like Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, and Conor Benn await, or he could stay at 140 pounds and pursue undisputed super-lightweight glory. The choice depends on how willing other champions are to step into the ring with him.
Here’s the controversial question... Is Bradley right to fear Davis more than Stevenson? Or is he underestimating Shakur’s ability to dominate at 140 pounds? And what does this say about the future of the division? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate that’s far from over.
