Veteran promoter Bob Arum is unwavering in his belief that rising star Shakur Stevenson will remain loyal to Top Rank Inc., despite the recent departure of Terence Crawford to Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC). Crawford’s move to PBC paved the way for his much-anticipated bout against Errol Spence Jr., a fight in which Crawford showcased his dominance with a ninth-round stoppage. Stevenson, eager to face Gervonta Davis, has expressed his desire not to endure a similar waiting period as Crawford. However, Arum remains confident, stating to reporters at Top Rank’s gym, “He doesn’t have to go to [PBC] because we control a lot of the money now.”
Arum’s confidence stems from Top Rank's recent involvement in the high-profile Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk heavyweight title fight, funded by The General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia. The bout, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a testament to Top Rank's financial prowess and influence in the boxing world. Arum emphasized, “You can see by the fight in Saudi Arabia, and money makes the world go round in boxing.”
Stevenson’s upcoming bout against PBC-affiliated fighter, Edwin De Los Santos, further solidifies Top Rank’s position. This 12-round championship clash will benefit from ESPN's financial backing, thanks to its exclusive content agreement with Top Rank. Arum proudly mentioned, “We’re paying opponents money that they haven’t seen.” He also expressed his optimism about Stevenson's future, stating, “I don’t think anybody ever beats Shakur.”
The 26-year-old Stevenson, a two-division world champion, has been with Top Rank since the beginning of his professional journey. As the boxing world watches closely, Arum’s confidence suggests that Stevenson’s future remains bright and firmly rooted with Top Rank.
Image Credit: ESPN