Shakur Stevenson Clashes With Turki Alalshikh Over “Tom And Jerry” Fighter Label

Shakur Stevenson says he disagrees with Turki Alalshikh’s line of calling movers “Tom and Jerry” type fighters. Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) believes that movement has historically been a part of boxing and that the legends, Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, used movement. They would be “disappointed” by Turki’s comments, which he refers to as “s***.”

(Credit: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom)

Adapt or Fade: Boxing’s Future

What Shakur doesn’t understand is that Ali and Leonard fought before the Internet, UFC, and cable television. There were fewer options for fans to drift off into watching something else. Moreover, boxing was more popular during the eras of Sugar Ray and Ali.

Nowadays, the sport isn’t as popular, which makes it vital that fighters engage to entertain the fans to make them want to watch.

Ali and Sugar Ray are from a different era. Using them as a justification by Shakur to continue to be a non-engaging runner is a bad idea. He’s failing to see the point. Using older fighters from the past doesn’t work because the interests of fans have changed dramatically over the years from when Ali and Leonard fought.

The U.S is different now, and the fans that watch the sport in this era want to be entertained. What passed for entertainment in Ali and Leonard’s era no longer works.

Fans have already spoken, and collectively they dislike runners that use the Tom and Jerry style. They view Shakur as a classic example of a fighter who uses that style. In today’s society, you either adapt to change or you’re phased out.

Turki’s Stance on Boring Performances

Turki noted the negative reaction from fans at his Times Square event last May, citing the running that Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez employed in their dull fights. The backlash from fans was severe due to the dull performances from these two fighters, who were paid millions for their fights.

“I think it’s out of place to use that line with any fighter. I just feel as though we’re all fighters. We all go in and do long training camps,” said Shakur Stevenson to Brian Campbell’s channel, disagreeing with Turki Alalshikh’s comment about not wanting “Tom and Jerry’ fights in his events.

“We work super hard. We come out and deliver the best of our abilities. If some guys want to move and use movement, I think that’s part of boxing.”

Shakur’s Style: Undercard Demotion Reason

For Shakur not to understand why he’s been demoted to the undercard is surprising. How can he not know that his dull fighting style is the result of him being stowed away on undercards now? He’s showing that he’s not able to grasp why he’s been pushed off the main events. His fighting style is not one that sells, as he continues to employ the same hit-and-not-get-hit style that fans view as unwatchable.

“I don’t have nothing bad to say about guys moving and using the ring. Guys like [Muhammad] Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, they got to be disappointed hearing some of that s*** because they used the ring a lot. So, I just don’t agree with that,” said Shakur.