Does Adonis Stevenson - Badou Jack Pass The Smell Test?

I've been accused of being harsh on Adonis Stevenson. I don't want to come across that way, however - and I certainly don't want to actually be that way. Unlike Stevenson, I don't risk my ass in the ring in order to feed a family. Props to any man or woman who does such a thing. Yet, let's face it, Adonis Stevenson doesn't willingly challenge himself by facing truly menacing opposition. He gets paid to beat guys he's pretty much supposed to. Now, in fairness, it's not like some, or any, of these guys don't belong in the ring with him. We're not talking truly offensive Danny Garcia - Rod Salka level opposition here. But c'mon, what big name has Stevenson faced since winning his light heavyweight crown?

And when exactly is Stevenson going to face his mandatory? He's been paying off Eleider Alvarez  like Alvarez is a Baraby Pirate. Sure, Badou Jack, who looks like he may be Stevenson's next opponent, represents a quality payday, but Kovalev, Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal represented good paydays, as well. Forgive me if I think something might, just might, be amiss. Jack is unquestionably seen as hard core competition, and hard core competition hasn't exactly been Stevenson's M.O.

Simply put,  I'm saying  there's a fine line between being a realist and being cynical and I think it's perfectly reasonable to curl one's brow at Stevenson's supposed choice of opponents here.Why, exactly, is Stevenson willing to face Jack? Is he really willing to face him? Is this all smoke and mirrors? Perhaps Stevenson realizes that he HAS to fight bigger names now for the money he wants and Jack is the best possible option. Or perhaps Stevenson "sees something," Max Schmeling style, about Jack that makes him believe he'd be easier to beat than other notable opponents. Perhaps it's a combination of all those things.

Or perhaps Stevenson really wants to get it on with a formidable foe. That's not an entirely implausible scenario, after all. And, if that's really the case, good enough for him. Better late than never. Until he convinces fans he's truly willing to mix it up with serious competition with at least some regularity, however, Stevenson will be rightfully leaving people suspicious of his motives. And, honestly, he's only brought that suspicion on himself.