Sparring accomplice Kevin Johnson says Shakur Stevenson might be in hassle if his surgically repaired right-hand breaks down in his struggle towards Floyd ‘Child Austin’ Schofield on February twenty second in Riyadh.
Johnson predicts a victory for Stevenson if he’s wholesome, however he may lose if he reinjured his proper hand in the course of the struggle towards the 22-year-old Schofield. He says Floyd would assault the one-armed Shakur and “overwhelm” him with punches. Shakur’s brittle palms are the important thing to this struggle. In the event that they maintain up, he wins. A breakdown on this space leaves him straightforward prey for the tiger shark, ‘Child Austin.’
The Peck & Run Downside
In contrast to Edwin De Los Santos, ‘Child Austin’ could be relentless towards an injured Shakur. He might be that method anyway, but it surely’ll be a lot worse.
Stevenson couldn’t peck and run his approach to a win like he did towards De Los Santos as a result of Floyd would hunt him down and punish him with energy pictures. He doesn’t hit as arduous as De Los Santos, however he hits shut sufficient to do harm. Shakur ought to have misplaced that struggle if Edwin had lower off the ring higher and confirmed extra braveness to throw when he did lure him.
WBC light-weight champion Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) hasn’t fought since injuring his hand coaching for a struggle towards Joe Cordina on October twelfth. He had hand surgical procedure, and he started coaching final week for his protection towards Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs).
“I really feel like with a wholesome hand, Shakur has it simply because ‘Child Austin’ comes ahead. He’ll convey a struggle to you, but it surely’ll be a sloppy struggle,” mentioned Kevin Johnson to Fighthype, choosing a wholesome WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson over Floyd ‘Child’ Austin’ Schofield on February twenty second if Shakur’s surgically repaired proper hand doesn’t crumble.
“He [Schofield] doesn’t know what to face at. He’s orthodox and southpaw impulsively. Not solely that. He throws huge punches. That’s a method that’s made for Shakur Stevenson. It’s like, ‘I’m going to tag your a*** with all these wild punches and missed footwork that you simply’re doing now.’
“You’re opening up your physique together with your switching. I really feel like Shakur goes to win this palms down. Now, his hand harm. If his hand provides up on him and he has one hand, that’s going to be robust. Though his protection is sweet, you solely bought one hand,” mentioned Johnson about Stevenson.
If Shakur is wholesome, he’ll win a boring 12-round choice utilizing his hit-and-run fashion, but it surely gained’t be straightforward. Child Austin might be hitting him arduous and attacking nonstop. He’s going to make Stevenson look unhealthy regardless.
Austin’s Aggression
It’s good for him that the struggle is in Riyadh somewhat than within the U.S. as a result of he could be booed out of any venue. Shakur isn’t constructed bodily or mentally for the light-weight division. He’s timid and fragile in each areas. Going up towards a youthful, fearless fighter with energy might be robust for Stevenson.
“You may lose that hand to arrange physique pictures and hooks or regardless of the case. Child Austin will come ahead to punch. So, he’ll overwhelm you with all these punches when you’re attempting to get out of there and attempt to hit him with one good shot. You possibly can’t use your different hand. So, you’re restricted,” mentioned Johnson.
