'We've got to be honest' – Shakur Stevenson brands Gervonta Davis a 'casual' and says he lacks boxing knowledge

06/29/2024 09:39 PM

Shakur Stevenson has surprised a fair few boxing fans by calling Gervonta Davis a ‘casual’ in a new interview.

The American lightweight rivals are currently both world champions in the 135lbs division.

Tank was effectively upgraded to become the fully recognised WBA world champion when Devin Haney moved up to super-lightweight last year.

Meanwhile Stevenson claimed his WBC belt last time out in his win over Edwin De Los Santos.

However, this contest was so dull that the talented three-weight champion has received a great deal of criticism ever since.

Many fans have claimed that Stevenson underperformed in the fight by ‘running’ from his opponent while outboxing him and did not push the action to give an entertaining performance.

When asked about a potential unification between them after his win earlier this month, Davis responded by telling reporters they ‘know how it would go’.

He also suggested that Stevenson would imply a similar defensive unentertaining strategy to his last fight.

When asked about this by Kevin Iole on Friday, Stevenson replied: “Tank is a casual, we’ve got to be honest.

“You can be a special boxer but not really have the boxing knowledge.

“He fought Rolly Romero and Isaac Cruz – when they fought each other he picked Rolly to win because of power.

“That’s a casual opinion.

“Gervonta Davis is a good fighter, but he’s a casual, he’s gonna say what casuals say.”

Boxing fans were surprised by this insult, as it is one usually used only between fans on social media.

One wrote: “Bro said he's a casual lmao, never heard a boxer call another boxer that.”

And a second fan put: “Go on @ShakurStevenson son. Call him a casual. Arrows to the heart.”

While a third said: “He’s not wrong Tank was 100 per cent convinced Rolly would beat Cruz.”

Thought a fourth fan commented: “Casual or not better make sure your Reebok helps you run if you ever get in the ring with Tank.”

And another fan added: Shakur is a gifted but boring fighter. Tank would flatten him.”

Stevenson will be hoping to change public opinion in his next fight vs Artem Harutyunyan on July 6.