Shakur Stevenson, 27, is a three-division titleholder who has entered his prime and appears committed to exploring his options after the expiration of his promotional contract with Top Rank last month.
In boxing, it’s as close to the catbird seat as a fighter can get – yet it doesn’t come without certain complications, especially for a complicated figure such as Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs).
On a recent episode of ProBox TV’s “Deep Waters,” analysts and former world titleholders Paulie Malignaggi and Chris Algieri discussed the strategy behind Stevenson’s “free agency” and the calculations necessary for a high-profile fighter to make the most of the sort of moment Stevenson is enjoying right now.
“You’ve gotta have some money behind you,” Malignaggi said, noting that Stevenson has it. (One recent estimate put Stevenson’s net worth at roughly $10 million, though any reasonable projection would likely put his future earning potential at several times higher than that.)
“They know the value of what they have,” Malignaggi said of Stevenson and his business representatives. “That’s why they’re not gonna be in a rush to sign a promotional contract.”
The sticking point for Stevenson – and, by association, for any promoter interested in signing him – will be precisely how to maximize the asset that is the fighter’s career. He’s a gifted, intelligent technician and a tricky matchup for any opponent, but that has translated to a poor KO percentage (45.5) and too few fan-friendly performances. Stevenson needs all the leverage he can get to choose the right opponents, whether it’s elite competition that can validate his talent or quality come-forward foes who can help him put on a show.
“A lot of guys need to pick and choose because they’re gonna get knocked off. Shakur doesn’t have that problem,” Algieri said. “He needs to pick and choose because of what’s available to him, because he is that dangerous.”
To watch the full “Deep Waters” clip, click below: