Gervonta Davis surprised the boxing world in December by announcing his retirement from boxing after 2025.
Davis, 30, is scheduled to defend his WBA lightweight title on March 1 against Lamont Roach Jr. If Davis’ declarations prove true, the clock is ticking fast on the long-discussed fight against WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson.
“If he wants to retire with the career that he got, then go ahead and do whatever you got to do,” Stevenson told Fight Hub TV during The Ring Awards ceremony in London on Saturday. “I disagree with it. I think it’s soft, but that’s on him … I ain’t gonna lie. I ain’t into chasing people around. If he’s willing to fight, I’m ready to fight. I think it should happen, but I can’t sit there and chase you, and then he’s going to try to make it seem like I need him. I don’t need him.”
Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) has previously proclaimed that Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) is on his “hit list.”
Next on Stevenson’s hit list is Floyd Schofield Jr. on February 22 in Saudi Arabia for his Matchroom Boxing debut.
The seasoned Stevenson, a -800 betting favorite according to DraftKings, promises to make the matchup a daunting one for the 22-year-old upstart Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs).
“When you’re fighting a young, hungry lion that’s a lot to deal with in itself,” said Stevenson. “I remember being that age myself. I wanted to win a world title so bad. So I worked super extremely hard. I’m expecting him to be the same way.
“I got too much experience for him. I’m too smart. I’m going to take him to a level he’s never been at before.
“I’m a big face and name on the card. I’m very excited to be putting on a show. That's what I’m coming to do. Kid Schofield is just in the way. You better be very focused.
“It’s going to be a fun fight. It’s a motivated kid. He wants to take my spot and take my crown.”
Manouk Akopyan is a lead writer for Ring Magazine. Follow him on X and Instagram.