Is Shakur overrated?

I don't know if he's overrated. Maybe he's just naturally the most skilled in the division he's been in and in the platform where he fights. I myself have grown tired of seeing him dominate one fighter after the other. And I thought he's in the Arum protection program. In other words, he fought everyone that is put in front him. No ducking, unlike others. He gladly took every fight available. Pitbull and Zepeda said no to his invitation. So I can't really say any dismissive comment about his run so far.

Shakur is a great boxer, the pride of his family, and a one time entrant of Nash Out's top 10 P4P list. Nash out - Nash is a Boxingscene Hall of Famer and a helluva poster, who resides in England.

From a rankings standpoint sure but it'd no doubt also be one of Tanks easiest fights. Tank would absolutely flatten Valdez. And I don't think a single person would give Tank any credit even if Valdez was #1 ranked and in fairness I wouldn't either.

Lets put rankings a side... Valdez, Herring, Robson who of them three would you legitimately favour to beat LSC, Pitbull, Ryan, Kambosos Jr, Linares, Lomachenko, Rollie, Pedraza, Pitbull? ​

Rankings are often absolutely meaningless, the fact they could have Herring at #1 is crazy and makes zero sense. He might have beaten more ranked in the top 5 at lower weight classes but its a lot easier when there are so few world class fighters there and its not like he fought them all, there is no depth and its a lot easier to break into a top 5 or 10 when the division is rubbish and we're comparing it to possibly the most stacked division in boxing. John Ryder is top 5 I don't see anyone using rankings to justify that fight going ahead they just called it for what it was & rightfully so. You have Kovalev, Jack in the top 5 right now would anyone give Okolie or Opetaia any credit for beating them? Boxing is in the worst place its possibly ever been. There are so many so & so fighters or really past prime fighters near the top of these divisions that frankly shouldn't be anywhere close but its how it is and they all have to be ranked somewhere. Rankings no longer mean much/anything and I am failing to see how they could be ranked #1 and in the top 5 logically. Its says more about how silly these rankings are than anything. I respectfully disagree Haney is about to fight Loma, fought Kambosos Jr twice, I am presuming Jojo Diaz was top 5 or bordering at the time compared to Valdez & Herring, Its night and day. The gulf in class is absurd. He outgrew 126 without fighting anyone & won a vacant title vs Joet Gonzalez who is tiny and quite clearly not world class. Tanks resume despite them being unranked or not top 5 though surely Pedraza was at the time? Not that its a great win or anything. Tank has fought much bigger and more dangerous opposition despite rankings, I don't even want to think what Pitbull, Ryan etc would do to those guys. Imagine Tank went back down or stuck around to fight Valdez or Herring, he'd have got no credit at any point in time just a murder charge. Rankings I'm not sure but maybe so even if they do make no sense but head-to-head or what really matters in the real world there is no doubt in my mind the competition level, the risk factor isn't even comparable let alone close. At 135 hopefully we'll see Shakur stick around and actually fight real ones his own size, not these little 5'5, 65" reach, tiny framed 126/130lbers he's used to seeing. I think he's clearly very talented but a lot of pure boxers with that much youth and size will look spectacular fighting your Jamel Herrings & Joet Gonzalez's of the world. Valdez would be far and beyond Tank's best win. But I guess we will find out soon enough won't we.

Well if Valdez was #1 he beat Valdez with ease when he was undefeated and #1 :lol1: So how could you possibly then say on the same token he's beaten no one with a pulse? The two things can't work at the same time. Like I said, he's beaten more Top 5 guys than Haney and Tank combined. Tank hasn't even beaten one. All these guys competition level is around the same, give or take. Rankings are often absolutely meaningless, the fact they could have Herring at #1 is crazy and makes zero sense. He might have beaten more ranked in the top 5 at lower weight classes but its a lot easier when there are so few world class fighters there and its not like he fought them all, there is no depth and its a lot easier to break into a top 5 or 10 when the division is rubbish and we're comparing it to possibly the most stacked division in boxing. John Ryder is top 5 I don't see anyone using rankings to justify that fight going ahead they just called it for what it was & rightfully so. You have Kovalev, Jack in the top 5 right now would anyone give Okolie or Opetaia any credit for beating them? Boxing is in the worst place its possibly ever been. There are so many so & so fighters or really past prime fighters near the top of these divisions that frankly shouldn't be anywhere close but its how it is and they all have to be ranked somewhere. Rankings no longer mean much/anything and I am failing to see how they could be ranked #1 and in the top 5 logically. Its says more about how silly these rankings are than anything. I respectfully disagree Haney is about to fight Loma, fought Kambosos Jr twice, I am presuming Jojo Diaz was top 5 or bordering at the time compared to Valdez & Herring, Its night and day. The gulf in class is absurd. He outgrew 126 without fighting anyone & won a vacant title vs Joet Gonzalez who is tiny and quite clearly not world class. Tanks resume despite them being unranked or not top 5 though surely Pedraza was at the time? Not that its a great win or anything. Tank has fought much bigger and more dangerous opposition despite rankings, I don't even want to think what Pitbull, Ryan etc would do to those guys. Imagine Tank went back down or stuck around to fight Valdez or Herring, he'd have got no credit at any point in time just a murder charge. Rankings I'm not sure but maybe so even if they do make no sense but head-to-head or what really matters in the real world there is no doubt in my mind the competition level, the risk factor isn't even comparable let alone close. At 135 hopefully we'll see Shakur stick around and actually fight real ones his own size, not these little 5'5, 65" reach, tiny framed 126/130lbers he's used to seeing. I think he's clearly very talented but a lot of pure boxers with that much youth and size will look spectacular fighting your Jamel Herrings & Joet Gonzalez's of the world.

Everyone talking him up as special and generational, but I don't see it. He looks talented and skilled but he has no sfx, and is similar to Haney imo just without the clinching. I don't see an amazing fighter, and his record is trash, and he lacks power. So far he looks like a 7.5 fighter to me, and will struggle against the top guys at 135 imo. Shakur, Tank and Haney have yet to get in there with an ELITE fighter. Tank & Loma SHOULD have fought YEARS ago. They havnt for a reason. I’d like to see Tank actually fight an elite fighter for once. Shakur can’t be made to loose weight and hydration clause won’t work so forget about him. Haney ain’t going for no dehydration clause so that fight won’t happen either. I see Tank wanting Loma next cause we all know he’s too old now and SAFTY is what Tanks camp is all about.

He's overrated because people are claiming he is the best in the division having fought nobody it's another example where certain fighters are rated on the eye test alone. At least GGG fought Canelo, Brook and Jacobs lets see what Stevenson does with his career first he could be even more of a bigger "hype job" after fighting nobody. Shakur is not even well known to be overhyped by many people, so you are being selective on the few people. He has has been consistent to warrant the praise and is on track to be one of the best, always wants the smoke and would fight anyone. ggg is an overhyped stiff who clearly ducked many fighters and people were saying he is the best from 154-175 ibs nonsense. Hahaha...puh-lease...

Well until he faces what we consider elite fighters, we won't know his true level But he's beating solid world level fighters like Valdez and Herring with absolute ease, which is generally the sign of someone arguably elite. But there's better fights out there to prove it.

How is he overrated when no one is hyping him up and promoting him like he is a mega star? He is praised by boxing fans who knows the sweet science, that's it. Overrated are guys like ggg, arguably the biggest hype job that never delivered. He's overrated because people are claiming he is the best in the division having fought nobody it's another example where certain fighters are rated on the eye test alone. At least GGG fought Canelo, Brook and Jacobs lets see what Stevenson does with his career first he could be even more of a bigger "hype job" after fighting nobody.

How is he overrated when no one is hyping him up and promoting him like he is a mega star? He is praised by boxing fans who knows the sweet science, that's it. Overrated are guys like ggg, arguably the biggest hype job that never delivered.

So beating Framptons corpse who had only fought at the weight once vs Tyler McCreary put him #1 ahead of Gervonta & Valdez who might I add just mullered Berchelt and of course had a rather disputed win over Robson? Can we as boxing fans sit and pretend a guy like Jamel Herring is or was ever #1 at any weight? He was a good gatekeeper type that won a minor strap vs a Japanese fighter who lost no less than 3 or 4 times on the Japanese circuit which is quite frankly dire. I think he is a bad match up for Valdez regardless but its a good win, Valdez is a legitimate world class fighter. I'm not going to sit and pretend some guy like Jamel Herring is or ever was #1 though regardless what corrupt organisation or who says it and if he was we may as well just all switch over to the UFC now lol He has lost every time he has fought anyone remotely decent albeit a shot Carl Frampton who was 1-0 at the weight vs a total nobody and was clearly done with the sport. Shakur is unproven we've not seen him tested at all or pushed and have to get out of second gear. Not seen him cut, hurt or knocked down, go through any sort of adversity. He has fought literally only one guy in his career that could remotely punch and he is practically half his size. We've seen he can go the distance well apart from that and the eye-test vs extremely limited opposition or being a good frontrunner he hasn't proved much if anything in my eyes. Well if Valdez was #1 he beat Valdez with ease when he was undefeated and #1 :lol1: So how could you possibly then say on the same token he's beaten no one with a pulse? The two things can't work at the same time. Like I said, he's beaten more Top 5 guys than Haney and Tank combined. Tank hasn't even beaten one. All these guys competition level is around the same, give or take.

Well not really, Herring was the underdog in that fight and he beat him which made him #1 in the division. That means something. Valdez was undefeated. Tail end of his career how? It's just an asinine concept. He's beaten the #1 guy in the division twice and you're saying he's beaten no one? How can those two things possibly be correct at the same time? Shakur's unproven at 135, that's a given, he's just moved there. But to say he's unproven in general is just objectively wrong. So beating Framptons corpse who had only fought at the weight once vs Tyler McCreary put him #1 ahead of Gervonta & Valdez who might I add just mullered Berchelt and of course had a rather disputed win over Robson? Can we as boxing fans sit and pretend a guy like Jamel Herring is or was ever #1 at any weight? He was a good gatekeeper type that won a minor strap vs a Japanese fighter who lost no less than 3 or 4 times on the Japanese circuit which is quite frankly dire. I think he is a bad match up for Valdez regardless but its a good win, Valdez is a legitimate world class fighter. I'm not going to sit and pretend some guy like Jamel Herring is or ever was #1 though regardless what corrupt organisation or who says it and if he was we may as well just all switch over to the UFC now lol He has lost every time he has fought anyone remotely decent albeit a shot Carl Frampton who was 1-0 at the weight vs a total nobody and was clearly done with the sport. Shakur is unproven we've not seen him tested at all or pushed and have to get out of second gear. Not seen him cut, hurt or knocked down, go through any sort of adversity. He has fought literally only one guy in his career that could remotely punch and he is practically half his size. We've seen he can go the distance well apart from that and the eye-test vs extremely limited opposition or being a good frontrunner he hasn't proved much if anything in my eyes.

Ranked #1 how for beating a totally shot Carl Frampton who ate his way up to 130? Valdez a good fighter but at the tale end of his career in my opinion and was coming off a terrible performance/a gift and had tons of injuries. Good fighter but bad match up stylistically and certain past his best. It doesn't impress me with these big, fresh peaking fighters beating small has-beens and guys on the way out. I'd be worried if they wasn't. These small weights are oversaturated just littered with too many belts and too many padded records to the point you can make a case for a lot of guys being ranked wherever. Its quantity over quality. A constant stream of gatekeepers and journeymen winning belts by being in the right place at the right time then people kid themselves they're such good fighters just because they have this fascination with overrating and giving the smaller weights way too much credit. They are held in a totally different regard. At a higher weight people would recognise it for what it is and be like ''garbage fighter who lucked out on a world title but fair play too him, he won't be holding it very long''. These baby weights there are dozens of guys with like 18-2 sort of records vs absolute nobodies, they eventually beat one barely recognisable name and suddenly they're in line for a title shot, its ridiculous. Their competition level is much higher regardless of ratings, I mean how is Shakur #1 at 135 he has one fight there against an unknown Japanese fighter that was a literal punchbag, it makes no sense. There are weight divisions for a reason and apart from Valdez all of Shakurs opponents have been trash tbh I don't see Herring at the very tale end of his career or Robson whatever ever beating a Kambosos, Pitbull Cruz, Garcia, Ryan Garcia, even a Rollie would fold those boys up. Wouldn't even beat a Pedraza. Would anybody pick Herring to even beat a past it Leo Santa Cruz? I wouldn't, at any weight. Nobody gives Haney credit for destroying Zaur Abdullaev but he'd beat the brakes off anyone on Shakurs resume. 130 is a ghost town with guys like Zelfa Barrett & Ogawa in the top 10 it might currently be the weakest division there is. Nearly the whole top 10 are journeymen, gatekeepers and domestic level. There are very few there even close to being actual world class but they have to put someone #1, #2, #3 etc Well not really, Herring was the underdog in that fight and he beat him which made him #1 in the division. That means something. Valdez was undefeated. Tail end of his career how? It's just an asinine concept. He's beaten the #1 guy in the division twice and you're saying he's beaten no one? How can those two things possibly be correct at the same time? Shakur's unproven at 135, that's a given, he's just moved there. But to say he's unproven in general is just objectively wrong.

There is a huge difference between these big, undefeated, hard-hitting lightweights or a highly skilled Lomachenko than some bang average, light punching boxer like Jamel Herring and I don't mean just 5lbs. And I am not saying or pretending they're great but they're worlds apart regardless what the rankings are. Levels and levels above. Lightweight has a lot more depth and pedigree. The whole top 10 virtually had deep amateur backgrounds. None at 130 do. The only fighter at 130 that is undefeated in the top 10 is Joe Cordina, virtually all the others have losses to nobodies and often several times - no way at lightweight or above would they get a pass or be recognised as anything but a journeyman/gatekeeper, hardly any of them have beaten anyone actually decent or recognisable outside of Japan. You look at 135 you have Shakur, Tank, Haney, Martin, Zepeda and most of the others with losses have lost to one of former/the big three. They all have a lot to prove still and to fight each other which thankfully we're starting to get but none have to prove themselves more at Lightweight than Shakur, he has done nothing. He is all eye-test against highly limited, smaller fighters who frankly aren't elite or have had better days.

So you are telling me, that Jamal Herring who was ranked #1 at 130, and Oscar Valdez who was ranked #2 at 130 (I think) don’t have a pulse? That’s silly. He’s beaten more top 5 ranked guys in the division being fought in than Tank and Haney combined. What convinces you that they are levels above him when their competition level is no better than his and he’s younger than both? Ranked #1 how for beating a totally shot Carl Frampton who ate his way up to 130? Valdez a good fighter but at the tale end of his career in my opinion and was coming off a terrible performance/a gift and had tons of injuries. Good fighter but bad match up stylistically and certain past his best. It doesn't impress me with these big, fresh peaking fighters beating small has-beens and guys on the way out. I'd be worried if they wasn't. These small weights are oversaturated just littered with too many belts and too many padded records to the point you can make a case for a lot of guys being ranked wherever. Its quantity over quality. A constant stream of gatekeepers and journeymen winning belts by being in the right place at the right time then people kid themselves they're such good fighters just because they have this fascination with overrating and giving the smaller weights way too much credit. They are held in a totally different regard. At a higher weight people would recognise it for what it is and be like ''garbage fighter who lucked out on a world title but fair play too him, he won't be holding it very long''. These baby weights there are dozens of guys with like 18-2 sort of records vs absolute nobodies, they eventually beat one barely recognisable name and suddenly they're in line for a title shot, its ridiculous. Their competition level is much higher regardless of ratings, I mean how is Shakur #1 at 135 he has one fight there against an unknown Japanese fighter that was a literal punchbag, it makes no sense. There are weight divisions for a reason and apart from Valdez all of Shakurs opponents have been trash tbh I don't see Herring at the very tale end of his career or Robson whatever ever beating a Kambosos, Pitbull Cruz, Garcia, Ryan Garcia, even a Rollie would fold those boys up. Wouldn't even beat a Pedraza. Would anybody pick Herring to even beat a past it Leo Santa Cruz? I wouldn't, at any weight. Nobody gives Haney credit for destroying Zaur Abdullaev but he'd beat the brakes off anyone on Shakurs resume. 130 is a ghost town with guys like Zelfa Barrett & Ogawa in the top 10 it might currently be the weakest division there is. Nearly the whole top 10 are journeymen, gatekeepers and domestic level. There are very few there even close to being actual world class but they have to put someone #1, #2, #3 etc

I dont see anybody clamouring for his next fight.. he is rated about right I think. He is more relevant than Haney though. Stevenson isnt some special fighter but he is above Haney and below Davis.

He has fought nobody and nobody here or elsewhere has seen him compete vs anyone with a pulse that would indicate he's even the best at 135 right let alone 140 where he has never competed. Tank and Haney are so many levels above that Japanese fisherman its not even funny. Even at 135 he fought one time vs a guy who is garbage. Absolute garbage! Its an insult to Prograis, Taylor, Zepeda and these guys who have earned their stripes, fought and beat real mother****ers at 140. Now we are picking a guy who has only just moved up into the division below and only fought once there at that vs a scrub over them? Slow the hype and let him prove himself at 135 first. So you are telling me, that Jamal Herring who was ranked #1 at 130, and Oscar Valdez who was ranked #2 at 130 (I think) don’t have a pulse? That’s silly. He’s beaten more top 5 ranked guys in the division being fought in than Tank and Haney combined. What convinces you that they are levels above him when their competition level is no better than his and he’s younger than both?

He’s beat good fighters with ease. He’s a special talent IMO but of course needs to be tested more before we really know.

Jeeeez! I’m surprised. You and Dan_Cov are the two most knowledgeable fans on here. It's hard to say that a guy who has only one fight at 135 can jump to 140 to beat the top two guys. Weight classes matter for sure. Shakur is a real talent. Probably special even but he's still the guy I saw fight extremely safely first because of Nakathila's power.