Shakur Stevenson is still waiting to receive a significant test as a professional, but the current lightweight world champion is fully aware of what a tough fight is.
Stevenson retained his crown earlier this month when beating Artem Harutyunyan, and he’s revealed what it was like to spar Terence Crawford in his younger days.
Stevenson is a huge admirer of the Nebraska fighter and the pair have become close friends in recent years.
The Newark man was eager to test himself against Crawford before he turned professional, and he found out just how good the current pound for pound superstar is.
"When I was, I want to say seventeen. I go pull up on him. So, I was like, 'Yo, you going to give me some rounds?' Said Stevenson when speaking to Talksport.
"So, I get in the ring and this dude got to beating me up, like we only sparred two or three rounds, it was four-minute rounds.
"Man, this dude beat me up so bad! I swear to God that was the worst a-- whooping I ever had as a fighter."
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