ADONIS STEVENSON remains a light-heavyweight to be reckoned with.
The slugger has become something of a 175lb afterthought following rival Sergey Kovalev‘s stellar year, but the Canadian proved his worth by flattening Dmitry Sukhotsky in round five. Stevenson’s year has been something of a disappointment when compared to his breakout 2013 and Kovalev’s dominant win over Bernard Hopkins, but the WBC champion impressed at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City.
Stevenson, 37, could not miss. The challenger – who lost to Juergen Braehmer in 2009 – did not come loaded with confidence and the champion’s raids caused chaos. Stevenson’s left hand was particularly dangerous, arching round Sukhotsky’s shield and hitting the target.
There were four knockdowns in all, and the final one – caused by a savage left hand – was as gruesome as it was spectacular, with Sukhotsky deposited under the bottom rope, thoroughly beaten.
“I just used my speed and movement,” said Stevenson afterwards. “I know I have the power and the knockouts are going to come,” Stevenson said. “I don’t want to force the knockouts. I know my trainer [Javan “Sugar” Hill] tells me that, too. It’s boxing.
“I just wait for him and, bang, I catch him.”
On the undercard, revered light-heavyweight prospect Artur Beterbiev emerged from a flash knockdown in the opening round to batter Jeff Page in the second.
SERGEY KOVALEV EARNS PLACE IN THE BOXING NEWS TOP 10 FIGHTERS OF THE YEAR
