Shakur Stevenson Disagrees with Turki Alalshikh’s Stance on “Tom and Jerry” Fights

The boxing world is abuzz with anticipation as WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson prepares for his title defense against mandatory challenger William Zepeda on July 12. However, the build-up to this highly anticipated match has been overshadowed by Stevenson’s vocal disagreement with Turki Alalshikh’s crackdown on what the Saudi Arabian adviser refers to as “Tom and Jerry” fights. This article delves into Stevenson’s perspective on the matter, the background of Alalshikh’s stance, and the broader implications for the sport of boxing.

Shakur Stevenson, a 28-year-old southpaw with an impressive record of 23-0 and 11 KOs, has faced significant criticism from boxing fans and pundits alike. His fighting style, which often involves a lot of movement and ring generalship, has been labeled as “boring” by some. Critics have even suggested that promoters should mandate a smaller ring to prevent Stevenson from using his agility to secure victories. Stevenson, however, is not taking these criticisms lightly.

In a recent interview with CBS Sports, Stevenson expressed his frustration with the critics and the new rules being imposed by Alalshikh. “F— them, they don’t f—ing matter. They aren’t the ones getting in that ring,” Stevenson said. “I don’t have to stand and fight somebody else’s fight, I fight my own fight. And if I feel like standing in there and fighting, I’m doing that because I know I can win that fight. At the end of the day, it only matters if I come out victorious. I don’t care what anyone else says or all of these rules that they are trying to fake put out.”

Stevenson’s frustration is understandable given his recent performances. In 2024, he was booed in his home city during a title defense against Artem Harutyunyan. Despite stopping a late replacement, Josh Padley, in February, he received little credit for the victory. These experiences have left Stevenson feeling undervalued and misunderstood.

Turki Alalshikh, the influential Saudi Arabian adviser and chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority, has been vocal about his dislike for what he terms “Tom and Jerry” fights. This term is likely a reference to the low CompuBox output seen in recent fights involving high-profile boxers like Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, Canelo Alvarez, and William Scull. Alalshikh has repeatedly warned fighters against avoiding contact, aiming to eliminate matches that lack significant action.

Stevenson is particularly critical of Alalshikh’s stance, arguing that it disrespects the history and strategy of boxing. “I’m disappointed in some of the things I have been hearing them say at the press conferences with the ‘no running’ thing,” Stevenson said. “At the end of the day, ‘Bud’ Crawford has put on amazing performances in the sport of boxing. I never saw a fight where he ran, so this is disrespectful to disrespect a legend like this.”

Stevenson further argues that movement and ring generalship are integral parts of boxing. He points to legendary fighters like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, who were known for their use of the ring. “I think it’s out of place using that line with any fighter, in my opinion. I just feel like we are all fighters, we all go through a long training camp and we work super hard to come out there and deliver to the best of our abilities. Now, if some guys want to move and use movement, that’s just part of boxing.”

The upcoming fight between Stevenson and Zepeda will take place at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, as part of the first boxing card held at the venue. This event is the third under Alalshikh’s new “The Ring” series, sponsored by the legendary magazine he purchased last year.

Stevenson expressed his disappointment at being placed in the co-main event, supporting the non-title super middleweight clash between New York-native Edgar Berlanga and Hamzah Sheeraz. However, he acknowledges Alalshikh’s support for Sheeraz and understands the strategic decisions behind the event’s structure.

Despite the controversy and the strategic decisions, Stevenson remains focused on his fight. “I mean, everybody would $beupset$,” Stevenson said. “But at the end of the day, $Ihave$ nothing but respect to Alalshikhand′TheRing′ for the decisions that they make behind closed doors. I don’t have shit to do with that but I know it has something to do with the Hamzah Sheeraz kid that Turki likes so I get it.”

The “Tom and Jerry” mandate is Turki Alalshikh’s initiative to discourage boxers from avoiding contact and engaging in low-action fights. This stance is aimed at promoting more exciting and action-packed matches.

Stevenson believes that movement and ring generalship are essential parts of boxing. He argues that the mandate disrespects the history of the sport and the strategies employed by legendary fighters like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard.

The fight between Stevenson and Zepeda is significant as it marks Stevenson’s third title defense. It also highlights the ongoing debate about the future direction of boxing and the role of promoters and advisers in shaping the sport.

Alalshikh’s support for Sheeraz has strategic implications for the event’s structure. Stevenson understands the decisions behind placing him in the co-main event but remains focused on his fight and ensuring a victory.

The upcoming fight between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda is more than just a title defense; it is a battleground for the future of boxing. Stevenson’s vocal disagreement with Turki Alalshikh’s anti-running mandate highlights the ongoing debate about the role of movement and strategy in the sport. As fans and pundits await the outcome of this highly anticipated match, the broader implications for boxing’s future remain a topic of intense discussion.