Shakur Stevenson Names Pernell Whitaker Above Terence Crawford in GOAT Debate
Shakur Stevenson has stirred discussion ahead of his headline bout at Madison Square Garden by revealing his personal view on boxing’s greatest-of-all-time debate.
The WBC lightweight champion placed Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker above recently retired Terence Crawford when asked to rank a selection of fighters, naming the former defensive master as his top choice.
Stevenson, who faces Teofimo Lopez on Saturday night with a chance to become a four-division world champion, has long spoken of Crawford as a mentor and inspiration. Crawford, a former three-division undisputed champion, was widely regarded as boxing’s pound-for-pound leader before stepping away from the sport last month.
Despite that admiration, Stevenson categorized Crawford as a “legend,” while reserving GOAT status for Whitaker. The decision reflects Stevenson’s appreciation for defensive excellence, an area in which Whitaker is often considered unmatched in boxing history.
Whitaker’s elusive style and technical brilliance helped define an era, earning him titles across four weight classes and a reputation as one of the sport’s most skilled tacticians.
Elsewhere in his rankings, Stevenson placed himself and Lopez among the sport’s “greats,” alongside iconic figures such as Julio Cesar Chavez and Aaron Pryor.
With his own legacy still unfolding, Stevenson’s comments highlight how closely he measures himself against boxing’s historical elite as he prepares for one of the most significant fights of his career.
