Eddie Hearn says WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson will be ready to fight  Gervonta Davis next if he’s victorious against William Zepeda this Saturday, July 12th, in Queens, New York.

Hearn Pushes Tank Davis Fight

Promoter Hearn believes that Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) will have done enough by defeating Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) to show that he’s the “best lightweight in the world” and ready to fight WBA champion Tank Davis. If the Davis-Shakur fight happens next, it would be a business-type match-up and not a match involving the two best lightweights.

We just saw Tank struggle and arguably lose his last fight against Lamont Roach. He looked terrible. And Shakur hasn’t fought any notable lightweights since his poor performance against Edwin De Los Santos, where he got exposed by him in 2023. Stevenson’s two fights since that bad effort were against these light hitters:

– Josh Padley
– Artem Harutyunyan

Hearn’s Contract Strategy for Shakur

Understandably, Hearn is in a mad rush to make the Tank Davis fight for Shakur because his two-fight contract with Matchroom expires with the Zepeda fight. Hearn would likely be looking to extend his contract with Stevenson, and the best way to do that would be to deliver the Gervonta mega-money fight.

The Matchroom boss, Hearn, has to be seen at least trying to make that fight because it’s the only one Shakur wants. He’s after the money and the validation he would receive if he were to use his amateur style to outpoint Tank to win a decision.

Calling Out Tank Davis

“I believe Shakur Stevenson is the best lightweight in the world right now. Gervonta Davis against Shakur is another tremendous fight. One of the best in the sport. Let’s get Saturday dealt with, won, and that will be the crowing moment for Shakur Stevenson.”

The “crowing moment” comment by Hearn means that Shakur can stand up and crow like a rooster, using his perch like a fence to stand up on to call out Tank Davis. It would be ugly to watch, given that his lightweight resume would still be weak even with a win over Zepeda.

We’re talking about going from fighting an electrician, Josh Padley, to beating Zepeda and then straight into a mega-money fight against Gervonta Davis. Stevenson still wouldn’t deserve the fight. To really earn the Tank fight, Shakur should have to beat these fighters one by one in this order without controversy:

1. Andy Cruz
2. Abdullah Mason
3. Raymond Muratalla
4. Floyd Schofield
5. Jadier Herrera

Shakur: Hype Job or Genuine?

Even if Shakur were signed to a long-term deal with Matchroom, Hearn would still be in a hurry to make the Tank Davis fight. The reason for this is that Stevenson isn’t as good a lightweight as the top guys. If the Gervonta fight is delayed a year or two, the Newark, New Jersey native Shakur would face intense pressure to prove himself against quality lightweights.

“I think it should [be next]. Shakur against Zepeda is a great fight. I think it’s the type of fight that you really need,” said promoter Eddie Hearn about wanting Gervonta Davis next for Shakur Stevenson if he defeats William Zepeda on Saturday.

Tank vs. Shakur isn’t the fight that fans “really need.” People need to see Andy Cruz or Abdullah Mason face Stevenson next. Fans need to determine if Shakur is genuine or just a fake because the way he’s been promoted since moving up to lightweight is an example of a manufactured hype job.

We saw how Hearn secured Edgar Berlanga a fight against Canelo Alvarez by matching him against two tomato cans after signing him to Matchroom. Now, we’re seeing Hearn work the same magic with Shakur in the second fight of his two-fight contract with his company.