Shakur Stevenson's search for a worthy opponent might be over. The WBC lightweight champion is in talks to face former super-featherweight titleholder Joe Cordina on December 21.
Stevenson's exceptional "hit and don't get hit" style has made it tough for him to land fights with big-name opponents. After negotiations with William Zepeda fell through, Stevenson's team started looking for other options.
Now, it seems they've found one. Saudi boxing promoter Turki Alalshikh hinted at the potential matchup in a recent interview.
"I think we are close to doing this," Alalshikh said in a video interview, referring to the Stevenson-Cordina bout.
For Cordina, this fight comes at a crucial time in his career. The Welsh boxer lost his IBF super-featherweight title to Anthony Cacace in May. He's now moving up to the lightweight division, citing difficulties making the 130-pound limit.
In a recent interview with The Stomping Ground, Cordina shared his thoughts on the lightweight division and Stevenson:
"Shakur is my number one choice to face. He's one of the top 5 pound-for-pound fighters in the world. To become great, you have to beat great fighters."
Cordina also mentioned past interactions with Stevenson, saying they've had "a little back and forth" on social media, but it's been "mutually respectful."
The potential fight could land on the undercard of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch, scheduled for December 21, 2023. This high-profile event would give both fighters a massive platform to showcase their skills.
For Stevenson, a win over Cordina would further cement his status as one of boxing's elite. For Cordina, it's a chance to bounce back from his recent loss and make a statement in his new weight class.
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As negotiations continue, fight fans will be watching closely. A Stevenson-Cordina matchup promises to be a technical masterclass, pitting Stevenson's elusive style against Cordina's determination to prove himself at lightweight.