Newark’s Shakur Stevenson Makes Forbes’ 30 Under 30

Newark boxer Shakur Stevenson was one of several young athletes to make Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list of 2017 in sports.

Stevenson came into the national spotlight after an inspiring performance in the Rio Olympics, when he stormed his way to a silver medal. The result was the best finish by an American male since Andre Ward’s gold medal in Athens.

While his perfect amateur record was blemished by his loss in the gold medal bout to Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez, Stevenson still emerged as one of the most sought after talents in the professional boxing world. He recently snubbed Floyd Mayweather by signing a pro management contract with Andre Ward. 

Forbes’ 30 Under 30 honors the most influential-filled young people in 20 different industries. The sports selection was littered with both journalists and young superstars, including Katie Nolan, Von Miller, and Odell Beckham Jr. They are expected to be the best of their respective industry as they continue to grow.   

At age 19, Stevenson is expected to be one of the best young boxers, drawing countless comparisons to Ward and legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather famously won the bronze medal in the Atlanta Olympics, giving Stevenson an early small step up on the undefeated retired boxer. He has blistering speed and great ring awareness that helps him pick apart most any opponent. He is expected to clock in as a featherweight or super-bantamweight when he inevitably tips off his anticipated career.  

Watching how the New Jersey native continues to develop in the professional ranks will be one of the more intriguing stories in the boxing world to follow. Many are anticipating a long and illustrious rivalry with Irishman Michael Conlan, although their initial duel was delayed after Conlan’s questionable ouster in the past Olympics.

Stevenson was joined by fellow Olympians New Jersey’s Kyrie Irving, Simone Biles, Elena Delle Donne, Sydney Leroux, Tatyana McFadden, Draymond Green, and Patrick Kane. In the sports portion of the list, only snowboarder Chloe Kim was younger than Stevenson.