Undefeated four-division champion Shakur Stevenson has reportedly questioned the technical capabilities of boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson, suggesting that modern greats like Floyd Mayweather Jr. represent a more advanced stage of the sport. While some reports suggest Stevenson believes a fantasy matchup between the two wouldn’t be competitive, the Newark native has specifically focused his critiques on the defensive evolution found in the 21st-century ring.
During an appearance on The Art of Ward podcast, Stevenson argued that Mayweather’s variety of defensive “looks”—ranging from the high guard to the Philly Shell—would prove too sophisticated for the 1940s icon. These comments follow a pattern of provocative historical takes from the young star. However, it’s worth noting that com/shakur-stevenson-fans-roast-social-media-post-authenticity/”>fans roast Shakur Stevenson frequently for his social media commentary regarding the legends of the sport.
Sugar Ray Robinson is widely regarded as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in history, famously losing only once in his first 132 professional bouts. Despite this resume, Stevenson has been blunt about the perceived technical gap between eras.
In an interview with Cigar Talk, he went as far as calling Robinson “buns”—slang for poor quality—while specifically targeting the legend’s defensive stance and the level of his competition.
Stark criticism of Sugar Ray Robinson’s defensive technique
Stevenson’s critique of the man who inspired the pound-for-pound rankings is rooted in what he describes as the evolution of boxing. “Boxing has evolved, bro. Sugar Ray Robinson didn’t even know how to pick his hands up,” Stevenson stated. He cited Robinson’s legendary series against Jake LaMotta as evidence, claiming LaMotta was able to land “nonstop hooks” because Robinson’s hands were often positioned poorly.
The current WBC lightweight champion argued that Robinson’s typical stance—left hand low and right hand on the chin—would be exploited by modern tacticians. He specifically pointed to Floyd Mayweather Jr. as a fighter who utilized superior “IQ, skills, and boxing” to navigate fights without taking damage. While others are looking for a com/shakur-stevenson-devin-haney-fight-update-welterweight-move/”>Shakur Stevenson Devin Haney fight update, Stevenson himself seems more occupied with analyzing the tape of past greats.
In his view, the defensive systems pioneered by Mayweather allow for a level of control that Robinson simply didn’t possess. Stevenson believes that while Robinson might have been a more difficult offensive threat, his lack of “looks” and static defensive posture makes him inferior to the defensive masters of the modern era.
He even suggested that Terence “Bud” Crawford would be seen as the better fighter if one compared their defensive tape side-by-side.
Backlash and the July 2025 apology
The fighter’s comments about Robinson have not gone without significant pushback from the boxing community and fans alike. In July 2025, after questioning Robinson’s opposition by stating he was fighting “all white boys,” Stevenson faced a wave of criticism. This prompted a rare walk-back from the usually confident champion, who took to social media to clarify his stance on the matter.
On July 10, 2025, Stevenson posted on X.com (formerly Twitter) to offer an apology, calling Robinson a “Goat” (Greatest of All Time). He admitted he was “just talking shit” and acknowledged that his previous remarks were perhaps too harsh.
“I’m not the biggest fan of him but y’all can for sure get at me for it my apologies lol,” Stevenson wrote, attempting to soften the blow of his earlier “buns” comment.
This cycle of provocative statements followed by clarification has become a hallmark of Stevenson’s public persona. While he honors the “Goat” title in apologies, his analytical breakdowns continue to favor the modern era. This competitive mindset extends to his own career, where he often compares himself to the best to ever do it.
His peers notice this too, which is why O’Shaquie Foster calls out Shakur Stevenson in search of a high-level technical showdown.
Comparing himself to a young Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Stevenson does not just hold Mayweather above the old guard; he also believes he could have challenged “Money” Mayweather himself. In late 2023, he asserted that he believed he would defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr., claiming that a fight against him would be the “hardest fight for Floyd ever.” He specifically focused on their respective skill sets at age 23 to make his case.
The Newark fighter claimed that at 23, he “knows more” than Mayweather did at the same age, particularly regarding the mastery of distance. “I feel like I know more than him my normal distance,” Stevenson said, though he did admit there were areas where Mayweather still held the advantage.
Despite these bold claims, Stevenson has maintained a personal relationship with Mayweather, who has reportedly provided him with tactical advice in the past.
The debate over “old school” versus “new school” remains unresolvable, but Stevenson’s vocal stance ensures it stays at the forefront of boxing discourse. Whether comparing Robinson’s 1940s dominance to Mayweather’s 50-0 run, Stevenson clearly views the modern “sweet science” as a more refined and perfected version of what the pioneers started decades ago.
