Terence Crawford, the recently retired three-division undisputed champion, has named four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson as the fighter who will “take over” the sport and retire undefeated. Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Crawford expressed absolute confidence in the 29-year-old’s trajectory, describing him as virtually unbeatable due to his elite defense and relentless work ethic.
Crawford, whose own legendary career concluded with a legacy-defining victory over Canelo Alvarez, highlighted Stevenson’s mental and physical attributes as the keys to his future dominance. “I think Shakur, for sure, Shakur hands down,” Crawford said. “I think, given the opportunity, he’s going to show the world that he’s the best. His mental, his defense, takes his craft serious. He’s the type of the fighter that you gotta pull out the gym.” While acknowledging that “everybody is beatable” in theory, Crawford asserted that he simply does not see anyone capable of defeating Stevenson.
The endorsement comes at a pivotal moment in Stevenson’s career. In January 2026, the slick southpaw secured a career-best unanimous decision victory over Teofimo Lopez to capture the WBO super-lightweight title. Following his move up to the 140-pound division, the World Boxing Council (WBC) relieved Stevenson of his lightweight title, which he had held since November 2023.
Now aligned with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, Stevenson is positioned for massive matchmaking opportunities. He has already targeted high-profile bouts against Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis to solidify his legacy. Crawford’s public backing carries significant weight, not just because of his standing as a modern boxing great, but because of his long-standing role as a mentor to Stevenson. Whether Stevenson defends his WBO super-lightweight title or pursues fights across multiple divisions from lightweight up to 147 pounds, Crawford’s assessment reinforces Stevenson’s status as the sport’s next premier attraction.