The upcoming fight between WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and Joe Cordina on October 12th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has sparked some controversy among boxing fans. Stevenson, who will be fighting on the Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev undercard, is facing criticism for choosing Cordina as his opponent. This is largely due to the fact that Cordina is coming off a loss, just like Stevenson’s previous opponent, Artem Harutyunyan.
Placing the Shakur-Cordina fight in the chief support spot on the card could be risky, especially if Stevenson delivers another lackluster performance. Fans have expressed disappointment with Stevenson’s recent fights, citing his timid performances against Harutyunyan and Edwin De Los Santos. The last thing event organizer His Excellency Turki Alalshikh wants is for the fans to be booing or walking out of the arena before the main event.
Many boxing enthusiasts believe that Stevenson missed out on an opportunity to secure a more challenging opponent for his upcoming fight. Fighters like Andy Cruz, Raymond Muratalla, Floyd Schofield, or Edwin De Los Santos could have provided a more exciting matchup for Stevenson. By choosing Cordina, who is not well-known in the U.S. and is also coming off a loss, Stevenson may be missing a chance to elevate his reputation in the boxing world.
Since moving up to the lightweight division, Stevenson has faced criticism for not taking on more high-profile opponents. Despite capturing world titles at 126 and 130, Stevenson’s opponents at 135 have been underwhelming. This has raised concerns about Stevenson’s legacy as a fighter and his willingness to challenge himself against top-tier competition.
The decision to fight Joe Cordina may not have been the most strategic move for Shakur Stevenson’s career. By choosing an opponent who is coming off a loss and lacks recognition in the U.S., Stevenson risks missing out on opportunities to showcase his skills against more formidable adversaries. As Stevenson prepares for his fight in Riyadh, fans and boxing analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he performs against Cordina and whether he can rise to the challenge of facing stronger opponents in the future.