In a surprising turn of events, Shakur Stevenson has ignited a fresh wave of controversy in the boxing world by labeling his lightweight rival Gervonta Davis a ‘casual’ during a recent interview. The two American fighters, both reigning world champions in the 135lbs division, have stirred up significant chatter among fans and analysts alike. Stevenson, at just 26 years old, has already made a name for himself as a three-weight world champion, a remarkable achievement for someone his age. His impressive resume and technical skills have earned him respect in the boxing community. On the other hand, Davis, often referred to as “Tank,” was upgraded to the fully recognized WBA world champion after Devin Haney’s move to the super-lightweight division last year.
Stevenson recently secured the WBC belt with a victory over Edwin De Los Santos. However, the fight, characterized by many as uneventful, has led to widespread criticism. Fans accused Stevenson of underperforming, claiming he was “running” from his opponent rather than engaging in a more aggressive, entertaining style. This perception has put a dent in his otherwise stellar reputation.
When questioned about a potential unification bout with Stevenson, Davis expressed confidence, suggesting that Stevenson might adopt a similar defensive strategy, leading to another lackluster performance. “You know how it would go,” Davis told reporters, implying that Stevenson’s approach would not make for an exciting fight.
In response to these comments, Stevenson didn’t hold back. Speaking to Kevin Iole, he remarked, “Tank is a casual, we’ve got to be honest. You can be a special boxer but not really have the boxing knowledge.” Stevenson criticized Davis’ choice of opponents and his predictions, citing Davis’ preference for Rolly Romero over Isaac Cruz as an example of a ‘casual’ opinion.
“Gervonta Davis is a good fighter, but he’s a casual, he’s gonna say what casuals say,” Stevenson added, highlighting his belief that Davis’ understanding of the sport lacks depth.
The use of the term ‘casual’ as an insult has sparked surprise among boxing enthusiasts. Typically, this term is reserved for fans who lack in-depth knowledge of the sport, not for fighters. One fan commented, “Bro said he’s a casual lmao, never heard a boxer call another boxer that,” while another praised Stevenson for his boldness, saying, “Go on @ShakurStevenson son. Call him a casual. Arrows to the heart.”
As the rivalry between Stevenson and Davis intensifies, the boxing world watches eagerly, anticipating whether these verbal jabs will lead to a high-stakes showdown in the ring. One thing is clear: the war of words has only added more fuel to the fire, setting the stage for what could be an explosive encounter between two of the sport’s brightest stars.
