Undefeated southpaw Shakur Stevenson delivered one of the performances of the year when he became super-lightweight world champion in January, but there is one up-and-coming 140lb contender who believes he knows how to beat the Newark phenomenon.
Stevenson put together a world-class showing when he outpointed Teofimo Lopez to capture the WBO super-lightweight crown and become a four-division world champion. Although, his plans to return to lightweight were scuppered when he was stripped of his WBC 135lb title.
Instead, despite rumours of a move up to welterweight for potential showdowns with Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn, it appears as those two will instead face one another, and that Stevenson will remain at super-lightweight for the foreseeable future.
In his new division, there are a host of hot prospects that are desperate to dethrone him, none more popular than Nevada-based Emiliano Vargas, son of two-time super-lightweight world champion, Fernando Vargas.
Speaking to Ring Magazine, Emiliano Vargas explained the weakness in Stevenson’s game which he believes he spotted during his clash with Lopez.
“I think that every fighter has a different approach that you have to take towards them. Shakur looked amazing in his last fight, he honestly surprised me and a lot of other people so I give my kudos to him.
“But, at the end of the day, I understand that, the right time, God already has it picked. So, if we were to fight with Shakur down the line, we would have to obviously solve that puzzle.
“Honestly, Teofimo was doing a great job when he was going to the body and really, after that, he had his moments to the body and then Shakur would keep him on the outside.
“Shakur even said it himself, that he got hit with a body shot one time and he wanted to throw up. I have been hit to the body before and it doesn’t feel good. So, I think that no fighters like body shots.”
With the WBO, where Stevenson reigns as champion, 21-year-old Vargas is rated as the #5 contender and subsequently could be given the chance to exploit that weakness and replicate his father’s achievements in the near future.
