We’ll never know who exactly is the best boxer on the planet. It’s all subjective and opinionated. For years, Canelo Alvarez held that top spot before coming up short and showing signs of slippage against Dmitry Bivol.
Vasiliy Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk, all had transient runs at the top. Naoya Inoue is also highly thought of. The Japanese star continues to bulk up and travel through divisions without breaking a sweat, pilfering every world title that just so happens to come across his path.
Fast forward to today and Terence Crawford seemingly has the most valid argument for being considered the best fighter in the world. Beating Errol Spence Jr. without remorse rose the 35-year-old’s stock to another stratosphere.
They all deserve their moment in the sun, maybe some more than others. Shakur Stevenson, however, doesn’t believe that any of those previously mentioned names are better overall fighters than he is.
Self-belief has never been an issue for the 26-year-old. On most occasions, he strolls to the ring, showing off that gap-tooth smile. Once the bell rings, unlike his smile, there are no gaps in his game.
Everything has come easy to Stevenson. When the competition increases, he fights flawlessly. When a no-hoper takes him on, he gets rid of them. His skills are clear as day but accolades, at least when juxtaposed with some of his peers, are somewhat lacking. Still, Stevenson believes he has time to rack up the title wins.
Leaving accomplishments out of it and just measuring each fighter’s skill set, Stevenson dares you, or anyone, to name a better boxer. Some may call it over-the-top bravado, others may view it as hubris. You know what Stevenson would call it? Confidence.
“In my opinion, I’m better than everybody,” Stevenson told Million Dollaz Worth of Game. “I believe in myself, I’m confident in my ability.”