Shakur Stevenson plans to steal tips from Dmitry Bivol as he issues response to Gervonta Davis fight talks
Shakur Stevenson is not focused on a fight with Gervonta Davis right now and instead keen to watch and learn from Dmitry Bivol. The American star has had a crazy week, having been set to step in the ring with rival Floyd Schofield in a defence of his WBC title. Stevenson is in action on a mega card this weekendGetty But Schofield was taken ill and pulled out of the fight, which was due to take place on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev’s undisputed title rematch with Bivol. Stevenson will instead face part-time electrician Josh Padley who will step in on three days notice and accept the title bout. Given he holds the WBC lightweight strap, there is regular talk of a huge title unification clash with WBA title holder Davis. But when asked about the fight during an appearance on talkSPORT, he played down the prospect of thinking too far ahead. He said on the Hawksbee & Jacobs show: “We got Josh Padley in front of us right now. “So all the conversations for the next fight and the next fight are going to have to wait. “I have to handle Saturday and then make sure there is a next fight.” When asked if he would watch the other fights, he showed he was instead focused on the event. He continued: “There’s some really fun fights to watch on this card. “So I’ll definitely be paying attention and watching. I love watching and studying Bivol. GETTYStevenson and Davis have regularly been linked to a fight[/caption] “I’m going to try to steal some things watching him. To be there watching him at his elite level will be great.” Bivol is considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the sport despite losing for the first time in his career in a narrow defeat to Beterbiev. And Stevenson could pick up some valuable lessons as he continues to tread a path towards greatness himself. Stevenson has won all 22 of his professional fights so far, but has yet to secure the big money-spinning showdown to propel his name into new heights. His fight against Padley is not that but carries a unique storyline for his rival, who has the opportunity of a lifetime. And he respects his desire to jump in and step up to the plate at such short notice. But Stevenson is more interested in learning from BivolMark Robinson/Matchroom The 27-year-old added: “[His background] means he wants it a lot more than anybody else. “I’m gonna beat him up though that’s what I’m going to do, beat him up and let him know he’s in there with an elite level fighter. “Honestly I watched one round and I said lets just make it happen. I’m willing to fight anybody. “Anytime and place just sign me up. I respect him for what he’s doing. “There’s definitely a lot of respect from my part but I would for sure be willing to do the same thing if it was me and I’m ready to go.” Read more on Beterbiev v Bivol 2 LIVE commentary from Riyadh for ‘greatest boxing card ever’ including Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 and Dubois vs Parker Full rundown of every fight on glittering undercard in Saudi Arabia Beterbiev and Bivol feature in opera themed trailer for their ‘Last Crescendo’ rematch to leave fans with goosebumps Beterbiev leaves fans stunned with sledgehammer exercise to keep stunning KO ratio ‘Much more skill’ – Tony Bellew makes surprising Dubois vs Parker prediction EXCLUSIVE: Oleksandr Usyk reveals that his next fight will come against the winner of Dubois vs Parker. WATCH: We’ll be hosting a live watch-along for all the action over on the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube channel OFFER: Latest betting odds and offers for boxing’s biggest fights on talkSPORT BET
Shakur Stevenson is not focused on a fight with Gervonta Davis right now and instead keen to watch and learn from Dmitry Bivol.
The American star has had a crazy week, having been set to step in the ring with rival Floyd Schofield in a defence of his WBC title.
But Schofield was taken ill and pulled out of the fight, which was due to take place on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev’s undisputed title rematch with Bivol.
Stevenson will instead face part-time electrician Josh Padley who will step in on three days notice and accept the title bout.
Given he holds the WBC lightweight strap, there is regular talk of a huge title unification clash with WBA title holder Davis.
But when asked about the fight during an appearance on talkSPORT, he played down the prospect of thinking too far ahead.
He said on the Hawksbee & Jacobs show: “We got Josh Padley in front of us right now.
“So all the conversations for the next fight and the next fight are going to have to wait.
“I have to handle Saturday and then make sure there is a next fight.”
When asked if he would watch the other fights, he showed he was instead focused on the event.
He continued: “There’s some really fun fights to watch on this card.
“So I’ll definitely be paying attention and watching. I love watching and studying Bivol.
“I’m going to try to steal some things watching him. To be there watching him at his elite level will be great.”
Bivol is considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the sport despite losing for the first time in his career in a narrow defeat to Beterbiev.
And Stevenson could pick up some valuable lessons as he continues to tread a path towards greatness himself.
Stevenson has won all 22 of his professional fights so far, but has yet to secure the big money-spinning showdown to propel his name into new heights.
His fight against Padley is not that but carries a unique storyline for his rival, who has the opportunity of a lifetime.
And he respects his desire to jump in and step up to the plate at such short notice.
The 27-year-old added: “[His background] means he wants it a lot more than anybody else.
“I’m gonna beat him up though that’s what I’m going to do, beat him up and let him know he’s in there with an elite level fighter.
“Honestly I watched one round and I said lets just make it happen. I’m willing to fight anybody.
“Anytime and place just sign me up. I respect him for what he’s doing.
“There’s definitely a lot of respect from my part but I would for sure be willing to do the same thing if it was me and I’m ready to go.”
Read more on Beterbiev v Bivol 2
LIVE commentary from Riyadh for ‘greatest boxing card ever’ including Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 and Dubois vs Parker
Full rundown of every fight on glittering undercard in Saudi Arabia
Beterbiev and Bivol feature in opera themed trailer for their ‘Last Crescendo’ rematch to leave fans with goosebumps
Beterbiev leaves fans stunned with sledgehammer exercise to keep stunning KO ratio
‘Much more skill’ – Tony Bellew makes surprising Dubois vs Parker prediction
EXCLUSIVE: Oleksandr Usyk reveals that his next fight will come against the winner of Dubois vs Parker.
WATCH: We’ll be hosting a live watch-along for all the action over on the talkSPORT Boxing YouTube channel
OFFER: Latest betting odds and offers for boxing’s biggest fights on talkSPORT BET
