FOLLOWING Floyd Schofield’s withdrawal, WBC world lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson will take on late-notice opponent Josh Padley this Saturday.
But before the pair lock horns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, it is worth taking a closer look at three of Stevenson’s most notable victories.
ROBSON CONCEICAO – 23/09/2022 – W UD 12
Despite getting stripped of his WBC and WBO titles after failing to make weight, Stevenson nonetheless produced a glittering performance to outpoint Robson Conceicao in 2022.
A more aggressive version of the slick southpaw proved too bullish for the Olympic gold medallist, with his suffocating front foot pressure gradually closing the distance between them.
Before long, Stevenson had firmly established his control and, even after getting docked a point for some audacious spells of showboating, was able to claim a comprehensive unanimous decision victory.
After that, Stevenson would go on to become a three-division titlist but, in truth, his ruthless surge at 130lbs is still yet to be matched.
JAMEL HERRING – 23/10/2021 – W TKO 10
Ahead of their clash in 2021, Jamel Herring had defended his WBO super-featherweight title against both Lamont Roach and Carl Frampton, thus representing a sizable step-up for Stevenson.
While Stevenson had already become a world champion at 126lbs, it could be said that this was his biggest test since the Rio Olympics, back when he was reduced to tears after losing to Robeisy Ramirez.
And yet, despite the enormous weight of expectation on his shoulders, the American wasted little time before putting on one of his most punishing displays.
Herring, to his credit, proved to possess a tremendous chin, though Stevenson’s relentless tenth-round onslaught ultimately prompted referee Mark Nelson to draw an appropriate halt to their one-sided contest.
OSCAR VALDEZ – 30/04/2022 – W UD 12
With full awareness of Oscar Valdez’s tenacity and explosiveness, their super-featherweight unification in 2022 saw Stevenson take a more defensively responsible approach.
In that sense, the Olympic silver medallist delivered what could only be described as one of his vintage performances, utilising his elusive movement to box fluidly on the back foot.
Valdez, on the other hand, came flying out the traps like a bull in a china shop, only for Stevenson to pick him apart with his sharp counters.
Sure enough, the highly-skilled matador sent his charging opponent crashing to the canvas with a check right hook in the sixth round, before resuming his clinical display to claim a wide unanimous decision down the stretch.
