Shakur Stevenson wants the best that the 135-pound division has to offer. While he is fresh off a dominating victory against Artem Harutyunyan, he has already reiterated his desire to have the marquee fight that he seems to have been chasing for a while. So, who fits the bill? Is it one of the standing champions at 135? Or is it any up-and-coming, hot prospect that can quench his ambition? If you already have a name in mind, then scroll down to see whether it made the list.

‘Sugar’ put on a show before his home crowd at Prudential Center, as he exhibited his superior defense and swift movement. However, it didn’t turn out to be exactly an exciting performance that the fans wanted to witness. While Stevenson made his first successful defense at 135, it also stamped his doubters’ criticism of him being a not-so-fan-friendly fighter and tough to market. The American fighter needs a name that can go to war against him and allow him to showcase the best version of himself. And you don’t have to look beyond the biggest name at 135 in Gervonta Davis.

Shakur Stevenson vs. Gervonta Davis: high payout, clash of brutal force and technical prowess

What does Stevenson, 25, need right now? An opponent that brings the fight to him and possesses an explosive arsenal. What’s more? Davis, 29, more than qualifies. ‘Tank’ has swayed the fans with his thunderous knockout power and has a long list of followers, which will also bring traction to their fight. In addition, the two have been at each other’s throats for quite some time, so the hype and demand for a fight are already there.

And you would love to see a showdown of contrasting fighting styles, where the WBC champion’s technical skills and his fast pair of hands, along with accurate punching ability, might frustrate and triumph over Davis’ in-ring IQ and thunderous power. However, Stevenson also runs the risk of getting ripped apart by the Baltimore native. Will he be able to put on a masterclass of hitting and simultaneously avoid getting hit, as he has done in his previous fights?

Shakur Stevenson versus Gervonta Davis could be next, at least according to Kenny Ellis, the co-trainer of ‘Tank’.

It was reported that Vasiliy Lomachencko, the IBF lightweight champion, was in talks with Davis, the WBA belt-holder, regarding a unification contest but according to Ellis, the Ukrainian veteran is plotting a more direct route to lightweight supremacy.

“Lomachenko said he will step aside and let Gervonta Davis fight Shakur Stevenson this fall and he’ll fight the winner early 2025,” Ellis said on Instagram.

Given Lomachenko’s age, one might presume he’d be better off fighting the likes of Davis sooner rather than later. However, with Stevenson holding the WBC title, Lomachenko could fight for three belts rather than two if he waits a little longer. Furthermore, should Davis defeat Stevenson he’ll be an even more marketable foe for Lomachenko than he is at present. And should Stevenson win, Lomachenko gets the chance to repay the American for last night wearing a shirt with his face on it and the words ‘Bob is saving his son from this ass-whooping’.

Stevenson, who coasted to victory over Artem Harutyunyan, is now a free agent after revealing he turned down a $15m offer from Bob Arum’s Top Rank for a five-fight extension to his now-expired contract with the promotional powerhouse.

Last week, Stevenson told BoxingScene that a fight with Davis would be “the biggest fight in the world, if we are really thinking about it. Every hood in America is going to watch that fight… That’s the biggest and best fight to make in boxing.

“That’s the game plan for me and the end goal. That’s the fight that I am going to kick the door down with. Honestly, that’s the direction I want to go in.”

Gervonta Davis is known for posting and deleting messages to rivals on social media, but there’s always a record of what he has said.

The 29-year-old from Baltimore is undefeated in his professional campaign and has knocked out all but two men who stepped to him in the ring.

As one of the most watchable fighters in the sport, there’s a long queue to face him. He is happy to entertain these challengers, particularly in the ways of trash talk.

Davis is a part of a group of young US fighters thought to be most exciting of a generation – Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez.

Whilst he has beaten Garcia conclusively, it was Haney that was in the knockout artist’s sights late last year. He did not mince his words when warning the formerly undisputed lightweight champ.

“I promise you. Your father gonna cry for what Imma do to you and that’s on my dead homie. Ya best bet is to enjoy it while you can.”

It’s a fight that has somewhat lost its steam, and likelihood, since ‘Tank’ sent the threat. Whilst he sticks around at lightweight and is coming off his first defence of the WBA title, Haney has won and relinquished a belt one division up at 140.

Still, Haney’s request to be WBC Champion in Recess at super-lightweight, which was granted, has freed him up from a mandatory challenger and will allow negotiations for big bouts, as he puts it, regardless of weight classes or belts.

There’s perhaps no more of a money-fight than ‘Tank’ Davis, but he is now in negotiations to face a former Haney opponent in Vasiliy Lomachenko. The Ukrainian brings the IBF belt to the table and the pair could fight it out for the two titles later this year.