By Miguel Maravilla
WBO champion Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) of Newark, New Jersey hopes to unify the super featherweight titles as he takes on WBC champion Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) of Tucson by way of Nogales, Sonora in a super featherweight unification showdown this Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on ESPN.
“I am ready in great shape feeling good and ready to fight. I want to show everyone how great I am,” Shakur Stevenson said. “I want to unify the division. I am motivated and trying to put on a show. I must get Valdez out of the way.”
Having wrapped up his camp, Stevenson is ready for the challenge in Valdez.
“We are back in Las Vegas for training camp, and everything is great. My grandfather and my team have me looking and feeling super sharp, and everyone is going to see the results,”
Stevenson’s rise to the top has been a fast one as he turned professional following his 2016 Silver medal at the 2016 Olympics. Winning his first world title in 2019, with a dominating performance with a unanimous decision over Joet Gonzalez and winning the WBO featherweight title.
“The only person with the willpower coming close to Oscar is Joet but he couldn’t keep with my skillset,”
Shakur is coming off a statement win over Jamel Herring in winning the WBO super featherweight title. Scoring a stoppage over the tough champion in as Stevenson finished him off in ten rounds and setting the stage for the unification showdown with Valdez.
“The world hasn’t seen everything that Shakur Stevenson can do in a boxing ring yet,”
Valdez won a unanimous decision over Brazil’s 2016 Olympic gold medalist Robson Conceicao in his last fight as he was defending his title for the first time. Prior to his first title defense, Valdez tested positive for a banned substance phentermine, but was allowed to fight and defend his title after the local commission, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Athletic Commission in Tucson, Arizona allowed Valdez to defend his title. In his previous fight, Valdez scored a huge knockout of the year over Miguel Berchelt to win the WBC super featherweight title.
“Oscar is a great fighter. Everyone knows that I’ve wanted to fight Oscar Valdez since 2019 when he vacated his belt at 126 instead of fighting me. He avoided me for as long as he could,
Despite that, Valdez has seen it all and become a fan-friendly fighter as he has been in some battles. Suffering a broken jaw against Scott Quigg in winning a decision as well as coming off the canvas against Adam Lopez and Genesis Servania.
“I have been in boxing for 19 years. I am a great fighter, and he is great fighter, but I don’t necessarily feel experience will be a factor. I am coming to win,”
With a win, Stevenson will hold half of the titles in the super featherweight division, the other titles and champions include WBA champ Roger Gutierrez (26-3-1, 20 KO’s) of Venezuela, and Japan’s IBF champion Kenichi Ogawa (26-1-1, 18 KO’s).
“I think it’s important to unify. I will try to get every belt. I must get pass Oscar first. I am focused on April 30th,”
Perhaps this can be, Stevenson’s moment that can catapult him to become a superstar. Fighting under Bob Arum and Top Rank, Shakur is on the right path as he is teamed with the same promoter that promoted Muhammad Ali, made Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao the stars they are today.
“After this fight I should become a big star. I will be having two belts,”
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum talked about Stevenson and the magnitude of this matchup.
“We signed Shakur we knew he would be a superstar and if the weights with Valdez coincided, they would fight each other. We have two great fighters willing to fight each other. This is wonderful for the sport.”
There is no question that this is the biggest fight of Stevenson’s career up to date taking on the undefeated and explosive Oscar Valdez. Similar as to when Floyd Mayweather Jr. and the late Diego Corrales squared off in what was a matchup between two undefeated young fighters with star potential.
“I feel like this is a big fight a big risk because he is a big champion. I will become the next Pay per view superstar,”
Follow Miguel on Twitter @MigMaravilla
BLA BLA BLA. Boorriinngg ass clown this guy is!
The only time the true warrior comes out in this coward is when he beats up on women in parking garages!
So in other words, you have accepted that Oscar Valdez will be defeated this weekend. He’s a cheater who was caught with a banned substance in his system.
he punched you in a parking garage?
Truth of the matter is Shakur punched a woman I think her name is Kurtisa G. and she’s very feminine.
I saw the video. Shakur beat up the guy. It was David Grayton (who is a pro boxer) fought the women.
Well he should not care to win he should care to fight valdez in the center of the ring we all waiting for exciting fight hopefully shakur don’t make sleep like Floyd runweather
Sounds like you’re making an excuse for why Valdez will lose. Hopefully, Valdez will not cheat. After all, he was caught cheating in the past so why wouldn’t he do it in his biggest fight.
stay IN school
Superstar? 17-0 with only 9 knockouts, has the most boring fights of all time, can’t crack an egg, beats women, is named after a hang banging lowlife rapper, is a piece of shit himself. The guy plays tag in the ring. As ugly as he is he should be more than willing to trade, he’s got nothing to lose lol. Here’s to hoping Valdez knocks his head off!!
You’re an IDIOT! None of your points have any merit!
They have plenty of merit. The point is, trash should not be made into something they are not.
You forgot to mention Valdez cheats. Hopefully, he doesn’t test dirty and fights fair. After all, “he’s got nothing to lose lol.”
Shakur going to beat Valdez like he said something about his momma.
Shakur has no skills gerbonta does
Lot of people says shakur skills but if he has skills then fight valdez toe to toe but you know why he won’t do it??? Cause shakur has no punching power and stamina to throw lot of punches in a minute he can’t keep that pace …so I don’t know where are his skills ???
Gerbonta Davis Can fight toe to toe or boxing around the ring cause he has skills he is the only one after that everybody else has Floyd chickenweather school
I missed mike Tyson he was a man not a girl
Obviously, he doesn’t have skills which is why you mentioned it. It sounds like you KNOW Valdez will lose and get outboxed so you’re making excuses as to why he lost. If Valdez knows Stevenson is going to boxing he should be able to impose his will if he’s the caliber of fighter you claim he is. You make such a big deal about “power.” If Valdez is so strong (minus banned substances) he should have no issue knocking out Stevenson correct? After all, according to a boxing expert like yourself, he has no skill lol.
Did Gervonta fought toe to toe against PitBull Cruz??? Hahaha he ran like his manager did a lot of years.
Ogawa in 2!
Classic boxing style matchup! Puncher vs Boxer! I think Shakur dices him up?! Wouldn’t be surprised if he stops him late. As for folks who criticize him for being boring and/or not packing a punch, Y’all remember Pernell Whitaker and Hector Camacho?? They went on to have LEGENDARY careers! Just like them (not that he’s at that level yet) he fights the top guys in his division!!
Naaaa you can’t use one fight yo justify the lack of balls cause I can also mention Castillo vs Mayweather
Just say you hate mayatas.. Just cut to the chase of how you really feel lol.
Its your classic Mexican vs black match-up. Its safe to say some Mexicans are not going to respect Stevenson not because of his style but because of his skin. When Lomachenko boxes he has fantastic footwork when Stevenson does it he’s “boring”. Also, its a built-in excuse for when Stevenson outboxes him and makes it look easy they’ll say “he ran”. Why us logic? They don’t care about logic its all about color. Its doesn’t matter Stevenson will still win with his boxing skills.
Stevenson will display a solid defense, but Stevenson must also make sure to generate enough offense to keep Valdez at bay; and to make sure the judges do not allow their eyes to focus too much on Valdez’s possible high punch volume and aggression. If Stevenson gets into an early rhythm, he will win by a wide UD.
For a close UD victory or split decision victory, Valdez must display hustle skills during rounds 1-12 or maybe (just maybe) land a few big time punches on Stevenson that will cause Stevenson to become discouraged.
Judging the rounds may come down to the judges’ abilities to determine ineffective aggression vs. scoring punches.
I favor Shakur to win the fight against Oscar Valdez, if he stays on his bicycle; however, I can’t imagine being on a bicycle ever being considered a star performance.
At this level, unfortunately, being exciting is a plus, it’s not really a requirement. It’d be nice if Stevenson stood his ground, but if he’s ultra careful and comes away with a 10-2ish kind of win, more people are likely to soon blame Valdez for not pressing the fight more and Stevenson will be a unified champion at 24 years old. He will be forgiven the next time he fights.
He doesn’t need to “stand his ground” that’s stupid. Valdez has 23Ko’s in 30 fights. If he’s that caliber of fighter he will be able to impose his will on Stevenson’s style. You’re asking Stevenson to tone down his skill level because Valez isn’t good enough. If the man is going to “run” then catch his ass lol.
I agree with you, you misunderstood me. I’m saying that if he does stand his ground it would make for a more entertaining fight, but he doesn’t need to do that. Winning is enough.
Bahahaha , that’s my reaction when I read his comment about becoming the next big PPV star. Look he’s got top notch boxing skill and has fantastic reactionary muscle memory but that doesn’t translate into big demand from the general public to see. I’ve said it before he comes off as a goof at best and plain annoying/boring otherwise. I’m a big time boxing fan but wouldn’t pay anything to watch him so how’s he going to entice casual fans to buy PPV’s ?
You simply do not recognize the brilliance.
Stevenson easy. Bivol easy. Nuff said
He will win but wont become a superstar other than in the space between his ears