Shakur Stevenson has been linked to a number of names since his super-lightweight title win, but there is one man that former sparring partner Regis Prograis believes will beat the pound-for-pound star if given the opportunity.
Since claiming the WBO crown at 140lbs by comprehensively beating Teofimo Lopez, Stevenson has been called for fights against Conor Benn, Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis.
Another man that has been demanding a shot at Stevenson is two-time and reigning WBC super-featherweight world champion, O’Shaquie Foster, who trumped Raymond Ford last month to defend his belt.
Speaking to YSM Sports Media, Prograis hailed the talent of Foster, saying that the only person who can defeat the Texan is himself, despite the 32-year-old’s three prior losses.
“I have been saying this about O’Shaquie forever. At one point in time, I was number one in the world at 140lbs, he was coming up at 130lbs and I was telling people that Shaq is the truth because his name was so small.
“He didn’t have the name but I was always high on Shaq, for a long time. I have been knowing Shaq since he was a child, basically, so I know how good he was, he was just, naturally, real good.
“He works hard and he has the mindset, Shaq has been through a lot of stuff and when you have been through stuff like that, your mindset does change, you have different type of mindset. It is going to be hard to beat somebody like Shaq.
“Really, I don’t think that someone like him could be beat, he can only beat himself, he has early losses and that is kind of what happened to him, he kind of beat himself.”
Prograis – who recently said he backs Stevenson to beat Haney should they fight – then went on to explain why he believes Foster is the man to hand the pound-for-pound star his first loss.
“Yes, [I would favour Foster over Stevenson]. I have been in the ring with Shaq more, for sure, but I am telling you, I have got him over Shakur.”
“He is natural, he can switch; he can go southpaw and orthodox, equally as good on both sides. Shaq can take a punch, Shaq has really good foot movement and Shaq has power also. He doesn’t have that big one-punch knockout power but he has got the power where you have to respect him because it is going to hurt.
“I know how good Shakur is. Shakur is a highly skilled fighter but, for me, right now, I got Shaq.”
To make the fight, Foster would need to move up two weight divisions and challenge for Stevenson’s super-lightweight title, or have Stevenson drop back down and meet him at 135lbs.
