
via Getty
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 20: Silver medalist Shakur Stevenson of the United States poses during the medal ceremony for the Men’s Bantam (56kg) on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Riocentro – Pavilion 6 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

via Getty
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 20: Silver medalist Shakur Stevenson of the United States poses during the medal ceremony for the Men’s Bantam (56kg) on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Riocentro – Pavilion 6 on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
In the combative arena of boxing, not all fights are won between the ropes. Shakur Stevenson, who has been getting stick since his win against De Los Santos, recently showcased a betting slip online. It was a hefty claim of $15,235, riding on the fists of fighters like David Benavidez. Yet amidst the numbers, an oddity lurked, subtle enough to be overlooked.
The slip was a testament to a supposed win, but the devil was in the details. Showtime’s own Stephen Espinoza stepped into the fray with a cryptic tweet, casting a long shadow of doubt over the bet’s legitimacy. It was a moment that had the boxing world pausing mid-cheer.
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Did Shakur really spend $3000 on a bet?
Shakur Stevenson took to Twitter with a post that quickly became the talk of the boxing community. His tweet featured screenshots of a betting slip with a $3,000 parlay wager poised to return $15,235. The bet included favorable odds on fighters Lamont Roach, Subriel Matias, and David Benavidez, each of whom had their hands raised in victory. With the confidence of a champion, Stevenson captioned his post: “Ticket looking solid.. Lil 3 bands #MostPeopleDontKnowShitBoutBoxing congrats champ @OneOf1x.”
Ticket looking solid.. Lil 3 bands #MostPeopleDontKnowShitBoutBoxing congrats champ @OneOf1x pic.twitter.com/PWaxF7IEGt
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 26, 2023
The claim was bold, the stakes high, and the payout impressive. However, a crucial element was conspicuously missing—a logged-in user. This oversight didn’t escape the vigilant eyes of Stephen Espinoza, Showtime’s CEO. His response on Twitter was succinct yet loaded, instantly igniting a debate on the authenticity of Stevenson’s claim.
Espinoza’s counter: A tweet of suspicion
As the digital crowd cheered on Stevenson’s confidence, Stephen Espinoza entered the conversation with a strategic move. His reply was a masterstroke, delivered with the precision of a counterpunch that turns the tide of a bout. Espinoza, wielding his authority as the CEO of Showtime Sports, crafted a response that was both terse and telling. Fraud alert: “Log In To Place Bet,” he tweeted.
Fraud alert: "Log In To Place Bet" https://t.co/5vZN6dmzul
— Stephen Espinoza (@StephenEspinoza) November 26, 2023
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Directing the spotlight to the glaring issue. This short sentence was a sharp jab, implying that Stevenson’s betting slip might be less than authentic. Espinoza’s words were not just a challenge to Stevenson’s claim but a pointed question to the validity of such public wagers.
Shakur has been in the news recently for not his win but his actions off the ring. So much so that fans even branded him as ‘Shakur Twitterson’. Stephen is just another name added to this list. Shakur Stevenson’s bold display on Twitter and Stephen Espinoza’s subsequent “fraud alert” have cast a shadow on the integrity of online betting displays.
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As the boxing community and fans worldwide mull over this controversy, one must ponder: What do we value more, the thrill of the gamble or the trust in the gambler? What’s your stance?
Watch This Story: Devin Haney Fires Shots At Shakur Stevenson After Edwin De Los Santos Disappointing Win
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