Shamar Canal wants to fight Shakur Stevenson after being ranked in the WBC’s top 25 lightweights.

Canal, 12-0 (7 KOs), defeated Bryan Jimenez on July 5 in Shreveport, Louisiana, in a unanimous decision. The 22-year-old is now ranked at No.25 at lightweight. He is still outside of the top-15 required to face a titleholder, but he is already ambitious in setting his sights on Stevenson, 24-0 (11 KOs), a three-division titleholder. 

Canal, 22-year-old originally from Albany, New York, calmly stated his ambition in facing Stevenson on a big stage such as Madison Square Garden, Atlantic City, or even in Stevenson’s hometown of Newark, New Jersey, at the Prudential Center. Canal downplayed the often-avoided 28-year-old Stevenson, who recently defeated lightweight contender William Zepeda in July in arguably his most impressive performance to date.

“I don’t see why nobody wants to fight Shakur,” Canal said. “I know Shakur personally. I grew up around him.”

Canal revealed that they have been in the gym together, and the last time they saw each other there was animosity. One thing is glaringly obvious for now: Canal is underqualified to fight Stevenson. Canal, who trains with Rodney Crisler in Las Vegas, brought up another name he hopes to face to elevate him to that status.

“We are looking to return in October or November against Maxi Hughes,” Canal said. “I feel he’d be a great name for my resume.”

Hughes, 29-7-2, is on a three-fight win streak since a stoppage loss to Zepeda. The 35-year-old British fighter Hughes has seen his last two victories come against Gary Cully and Archie Sharp. Hughes has a win over Kid Galahad and fought George Kambosos Jnr to a majority decision loss, which some debated he won in 2023. Canal sees Hughes as a logical next step.

“He is just a great U.K. boxer,” Canal said. “Against him, I could show a different side to me with my skills and output.”