Kurt Scoby never planned on being undefeated for the entirety of his career, but suffering a loss this early was both devastating and unexpected.

When Scoby (16-1, 14 KOs) came up short against Dakota Linger in 2024, he promised to get better. And while it’s still early, he appears to have done just that. His 2024 may have started in the worst way possible, but he ended it strong, winning two straight. Now, his 2025 is off to another healthy start.

This past weekend, Scoby made it three in a row when he violently took out Cesar Villarraga via fifth-round stoppage. Although he looked smooth and powerful, Scoby still has work to do if he wants to land a title shot. With that said, this is boxing. There have been plenty of times when fighters have talked their way into a big opportunity. Now, he’s ostensibly taking the same route.

Immediately following his win, Scoby grabbed the nearest microphone he could find and began naming names. If he wanted, he could have targeted one of his fellow contenders or an old former belt holder way past their respective prime. Scoby, however, didn’t do that. With a chance to call his own shot, he made it clear that he wants arguably the two best names at 135 pounds.

“Keyshawn Davis, Shakur Stevenson, I want all of them,” said Scoby. “It’s time.”

His ambitions might be high but realistically, getting either of those guys in the ring next is incredibly unlikely.

Stevenson is fresh off a lopsided win over Josh Padley and is angling for a showdown against a more established name along the likes of Gervonta Davis, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and William Zepeda. Davis, on the other hand, might be a bit more available but only slightly.

After winning his WBO lightweight title, he’s been pushing for his own matchup with Gervonta Davis and Edwin De Los Santos.