Even under the best circumstances, it’s not a given that Zuffa will be able to hook a big fish like Gervonta Davis to fight Shakur. Despite Shakur’s elite skills and massive new Zuffa backing, he simply doesn’t move the needle the same way with the casual audience.
If Shakur demands anything close to parity or tries to dictate the terms, Tank will likely dig his heels in. Tank has shown before that he would rather sit out, pursue a lesser name, or even talk about walking away from the sport entirely than give up his leverage to an opponent he feels needs him more than he needs them.
“What really went into the decision was mainly life-changing money. Not only life-changing money, just life-changing opportunities,” Shakur said to Fighthype. “Dana [White] and Nick [Khan], they kept saying, ‘We want to get you in with the best fighters. We wanted you to fight the best.’ The guys that they mentioned was Devin and Tank. And when I heard that, I’m like, why would I go away from what I’ve been wanting to do my whole career? I think my whole career I’ve been saying the titles and all that, I done it. With all due respect to the titles, I appreciate y’all… but I want to fight the best. I want to get in there and prove myself and get under them bright lights and see who’s the best. I’m not scared of taking no risk.”
Haney hasn’t said whether he’s going to fight Shakur next or defend against his WBO mandatory, Keyshawn Davis. If Keyshawn actually upsets Haney to take the WBO welterweight title, Shakur’s biggest potential fight is effectively dead.
“I think that’s what really kind of kicked it off with me and Zuffa. Their vision is as big as mine. I ain’t never really hear promoters with big visions like me. It’s an amazing thing, and I’m happy to be the person to lead the new school and new generation,” Shakur said.
With Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn officially locked in for September 12, a Ryan loss changes everything for the 147-pound division. Ryan is arguably the sport’s biggest ticket seller and pay-per-view draw outside of Canelo. Shakur vs. Ryan is a massive financial fallback if Tank or Haney fall through. If Benn beats Ryan, that golden parachute disappears.
While a Benn victory makes Conor a massive star under the Zuffa banner, a Shakur vs. Benn fight doesn’t carry the same casual fan appeal or domestic PPV weight as a clash with Garcia. Benn doesn’t have the same popularity in the U.S as he does in the UK. American fans view Benn as the son of a famous retired ex-world champion, who has never beaten any elite-level fighters during his career.
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