“Technically, I feel like I’m the better fighter. My range, my distance, and my speed was better than his,” Stevenson said on the Joe Rogan Experience while recalling the rounds they shared during training camp early in his professional career.
Shakur added that Lomachenko’s conditioning and boxing was an advantage at the time because the Ukrainian was preparing for the fight in camp.
“From the point of view of being in shape and throwing more punches, I feel like he’s been better,” Shakur said. “He was preparing for his war, and I was preparing for my war.”
The moments happened in 2017, when Lomachenko was preparing for his fight with Guillermo Rigondeaux. Stevenson, then a southpaw coming off his Olympic silver medal, was brought into the camp as a partner.
Lomachenko entered the professional ranks after one of the most successful rookie careers in boxing history. Unlike Stevenson, who earned an Olympic silver medal, Lomachenko captured two Olympic gold medals and compiled a record widely reported as 396 wins and one loss.
That lone loss came to Albert Selimov of Russia in the final of the World Amateur Championships at featherweight in 2007. Lomachenko later avenged two losses during his amateur career, including defeating Selimov at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Shakur said the experience stayed with him because he felt he could stand up to one of the most respected sports professionals of the time.
Looking back now, Stevenson said he believes Lomachenko may have approached the situation differently when he saw how Stevenson performed during those rounds.
“If I’m Lomachenko, and I know he was 126 pounds at the time. He was a kid, pushing 30,” Stevenson said. “Now I see him all grown up, big and strong, and I see what he did when he was young. I would probably test the waters with him. I wouldn’t want to see that boy.
The two fighters have never faced each other in the professional ranks despite competing in adjacent divisions during parts of their careers.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Loma went on to win world titles in multiple divisions and established himself as one of the most technically skilled boxers. Shakur has followed his own path, winning titles in three divisions and establishing himself as one of the most skilled defensive fighters in the sport.
While sparring sessions remain a part of boxing history, Stevenson suggested the experience may help explain why a fight between the two never came together when both fighters reached championship level.
