THE NEXT FLOYD MAYWEATHER?

Fighting on Saturday night for the WBO World Featherweight title at the Maddison Square Garden Hulu Theatre, Shakur Stevenson is one of boxing’s most prominent stars.

A young champion, the American will aim to defend his belt when up against Columbian contender Miguel Marriaga. A twelve-round bout, 22-year-old Stevenson will draw on knowledge and previous experience when striving for victory.

Claiming a vacant belt in his last outing, Sugar wants to retain it, whilst making a big statement. His intentions clear, the featherweight wants to excite fans and put on a great show.

A boxer with excellent vision, precision, speed and skill, his love for the sport is evident. Passionate to succeed, the New Jersey born southpaw has a drive to beat the elite. Overcoming names such as Joet Gonzalez, Alberto Guevara and Christopher Diaz in the past, one wonders how Marriaga will fare against such a hungry opponent in New York.

Named after 90’s rap legend Tupac Shakur, it was inevitable that glory was on the horizon. Trained by father figure Kompa Koroma and grandfather Wali Moses, business and family go hand in hand within Camp Stevenson. Living with Coach Kay, the two would go on to conquer numerous Youth and Junior championships, eventually winning a prestigious silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. Team USA capturing three boxing medals, Stevenson was pivotal in American success and exclusively told us today he finished his amateur career with a record of around 170-14.

Whilst Saturday’s challenger is confident of an upset, some say, including Floyd Mayweather himself, that Sugar is next in line to mirror such monumental stardom. Stevenson aware of the dangers that face him, he is on top of the world and focused on staying there. Tough, agile and powerful, the Top Rank poster boy is managed by former super middleweight and light heavyweight World Champion Andre Ward – a more than reliable cornerman.

Entertaining a New York crowd just three days before rival Michael Conlan fights Belmar Preciado, bookmakers predict that a clash between the two (Stevenson and Conlan) will almost certainly take place providing neither boxer makes a mistake in the meantime.

An impressive record of 13-0 with seven knockouts, the pound-for-pound prodigy could also, if victorious on Saturday, be rewarded with a Josh Warrington summer unification fight. With the potential to one day join Manny Pacquiao and Henry Armstrong in conquering the featherweight and welterweight divisions, the future looks a bright one for a fighter who is only just beginning on his journey to the very top.

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Noah Abrahams articles
Photographer – Mikey Williams