Shakur Stevenson says he’ll be “higher than ever” when he returns to the ring in February to defend his WBC light-weight title in opposition to William Zepeda.
The New Jersey native Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) has a lot to show as a result of he’s not regarded like the identical fighter since shifting up from the 130-lb division. In two of Shakur’s three fights since shifting as much as 135, he’s regarded weak and skittish.
Stevenson has proven that he lacks the bodily and psychological armament to compete in opposition to fighters at 135. The various who witnessed Shakur’s struggle in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos final 12 months on November sixteenth noticed that he doesn’t possess the instruments to struggle in opposition to the top-rung fighters at light-weight.
Is 135 All Improper for Stevenson?
If Shakur will get obliterated by #1 William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) on February 22, he should determine whether or not to disengage from the 135 and examine it as a misplaced trigger.
If Shakur returns to 130, he can decide up the place he left off and dominate this weak division in opposition to fighters like Lamont Roach, O’Shaquie Foster, Anthony Cacace, and Emanuel Navarrete. These sorts of fighters are proper up Shakur’s alley, and he might dominate in opposition to them for a few years.
What’s apparent to everyone seems to be Shakur is missing in these areas:
- Energy: The dearth of energy has been evident in Shakur’s fights in opposition to Edwin De Los Santos and Artem Harutyunyan.
- Bravery beneath hearth: Shakur is unwilling to face within the pocket since shifting as much as light-weight. When Shakur fought at 126 and 130, he had no issues standing his floor, seeking to commerce together with his opposition. At 135, he can not do this as a result of he’s afraid of getting clipped by the extra highly effective punchers on this weight class.
- Bone construction: Shakur’s fingers haven’t held up since shifting as much as 135. They broke down in his struggle in opposition to De Los Santos and prevented him from making it by coaching camp for his canceled struggle in opposition to Joe Cordina.
Zepeda will face veteran Tevin Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round contest within the Latino Evening occasion on November sixteenth at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This shall be a observe struggle for Zepeda to arrange him for the mobility that Shakur will use in opposition to him subsequent February.
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how Shakur reacts when Zepeda destroys Farmer, as many anticipate him to. Will Shakur have second ideas about dealing with Zepeda? Though Shakur’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, needs him to struggle Zepeda, he doesn’t should. We are able to simply weasel out by telling Hearn that he needs a tuneup first in opposition to Cordina, and he’ll grant him his want.
Wager no matter u need however I shall be higher then ever earlier than https://t.co/SDoVjUX79A
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 4, 2024
Coming to take the highest spot u in the best way u gotta go
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 4, 2024
