Tim Bradley believes the next phase of boxing stardom will be shaped as much by visibility as by what happens in the ring. In his view, Shakur Stevenson is positioned to reach a level of mainstream recognition that Terence “Bud” Crawford never fully reached during his own elite run.
Bradley sees that outcome as unfortunate but unavoidable. He is careful to stress that it is not a criticism of Crawford or his career. Crawford built his reputation on results, not self-promotion, and secured his place in boxing history on his own terms. The difference, Bradley argues, is not talent or achievement, but approach.
For much of his rise, Crawford showed little interest in promoting himself. He stayed away from social media and rarely leaned into interviews. That choice did not affect his standing inside the sport, but it limited his reach with casual fans and the wider public. Bradley views that absence as a key reason Crawford never crossed fully into mainstream star territory.
Stevenson has taken the opposite route. He remains active on X and consistently makes himself available to media. Even when critics argue that his messaging rarely changes, his constant presence keeps his name circulating. Bradley believes that visibility alone carries weight, even without natural charisma or refined delivery.
“I think Shakur has the ability, and it’s no shade on Terence,” Bradley said on his channel. “He’ll be remembered forever. Terence changed the game, and he did it his way. I think Shakur is going to do it his way as well.”
Bradley does not view Stevenson as a strong speaker in the traditional sense. He points to interviews that often revisit the same themes and lean heavily on confidence rather than insight. That limitation, however, does not concern him.
“But I think he’s going to be a lot more popular, and a lot more respected than I believe Terence Crawford is,” Bradley said. “That’s a shame, but it is what it is. I wouldn’t say he’s charismatic. He’s not Ali. He’s not going to have to do it with his mouth. Shakur is becoming a superstar with his skill, and by beating the guys you feel he can’t beat.”

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Last Updated on 02/04/2026
