Их Британийн цэнгэлдэх хүрээлэнд болох Стивенсон болон Смитийн тулааныг Флой Мейвезер болон Рики Хаттон нарын 2007 оны алдарт тулаантай зүйрлэж байна.
WBO-ийн аварга Шакур Стивенсон сурталчилгааны гэрээт боксчин болсноор Их Британид тулалдах сонирхолтой байгаагаа илэрхийлжээ. Түүний өрсөлдөгч болох Далтон Смит өнгөрсөн бямба гарагт Альберто Пуэлог шүүгчдийн хуваагдсан шийдвэрээр ялж, WBC-ийн аваргын бүсээ хамгаалсан юм. Смит өмнө нь Субриэль Матиасыг тавдугаар раундад буулган авч, дэлхийн аваргын титмийг хүртэж байв.
Смит тулааны дараа Шеффилд хотын Хиллсборо цэнгэлдэх хүрээлэнд Стивенсоны эсрэг бүс нэгтгэх тулаан хийх хүсэлтэй байгаагаа мэдэгдсэн байна. Тэрээр өөрийн боломжоо Флой Мейвезертэй тулалдаж байсан Рики Хаттоны түүхэн үйл явдалтай зүйрлэж, Стивенсоныг дэлхийн шилдэг боксчин хэмээн хүндэтгэж буйгаа илэрхийлжээ.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be [entertaining, and that Puello] was going to be an awkward opponent. But a champion has to do what he has to do. These are the best in the world, and I’m proving why I’m number one now.
“I have a lot of respect for Shakur – he’s one hell of a fighter. This takes me back to the Ricky Hatton and Mayweather days. We can build something good.”
Дэлгэрэнгүйг эх сурвалжаас харах
↓Эх сурвалжийг нээх ↓
Shakur Stevenson could be involved in a British stadium fight next year, with the potential showdown being likened to Floyd Mayweather vs Ricky Hatton.
Back then, in 2007, the British fight fans came in their droves as Hatton attempted to dethrone one of the pound-for-pound greats in Las Vegas.
Ultimately, he was unsuccessful, but the ‘Hitman’ nonetheless gave a spirited effort before getting stopped by Mayweather, the defending WBC champion, in round 10 of their welterweight contest.
Nearly two decades later, Stevenson would be keen to orchestrate a similar result if he ends up facing Dalton Smith, who retained his WBC title against Alberto Puello on Saturday.
The Sheffield man became a world super-lightweight champion earlier this year, dethroning Subriel Matias with a stunning fifth-round finish on away soil.
Things were slightly more complicated in his first title defence, however, as Smith edged a rather contentious split decision against mandatory challenger Puello.
Then, shortly afterwards, the 29-year-old called for a unification match with Stevenson at Hillsborough Stadium – home to Sheffield Wednesday Football Club.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be [entertaining, and that Puello] was going to be an awkward opponent. But a champion has to do what he has to do. These are the best in the world, and I’m proving why I’m number one now.
“I have a lot of respect for Shakur – he’s one hell of a fighter. This takes me back to the Ricky Hatton and Mayweather days. We can build something good.”
Having parted ways with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, WBO champion Stevenson is now a promotional free agent and could be enticed by a clash with Smith.
