Eddie Hearn vows to "make it happen" as Shakur Stevenson calls out Conor Benn

Shakur Stevenson has called out Conor Benn for a potential showdown at 154lbs and promoter Eddie Hearn says he's interested in making the fight.

It's a fight that hardly anybody could have seen coming, but the reigning WBC lightweight champion Stevenson has unexpectedly targeted Benn and even vowed to move up 19 pounds to get a fight with the British star.

“I'd go to 154lbs for Conor Benn….I'm gonna pick you apart,” Stevenson wrote in a social media post. “Too sharp, too much speed, too smart. And hitting me with a big shot gonna be the last thing you do.”

Unsurprisingly, Benn did not hide away from the call out, replying: “You wanna do it next Shakur? Let’s run it. No cheap talk."

Stevenson is currently preparing for a tough bout against the undefeated William Zepeda in New York on July 12, a fight in which he must prevail for his Benn challenge to have any substance.

Gervonta Davis remains high on the agenda for the 'Outlaw', but a showdown with Benn may be his next best alternative, and Matchroom promoter Hearn said he was contacted by both Stevenson and Benn regarding the possibility of a fight.

“I spoke to Shakur. It’s funny. They were both texting me today about the fight at the same time,” Hearn told Boxing News. “Conor fired me a text, saying, ‘Have you seen this?'”

Shakur messaged me, saying, ‘I’ll fight him.’ He talked about 147. I seen some 154 stuff.

"Listen, at the moment, Shakur has got Zepeda. Conor has got Eubank.

"After, we’ll make it happen. Everyone wants to fight Conor Benn.

"Shakur is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Let’s make the great fights happen.”

Hearn also confirmed that Benn's rematch with Chris Eubank Jr is nearly all but confirmed.

An agreement for a second contest was signed by both fighters and a date of September 27th has been suggested.

Jaquob Crooke

• Matchroom
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