WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson says followers ought to tune in for his February twenty second struggle towards Floyd Schofield in Riyadh to see “classic Kur.”
What Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) means by “classic” stuff from him may very well be translated as code for him being on his bike, utilizing his hit-and-not-get-hit model to win a factors resolution.
It could imply one thing if “classic” Shakur was an thrilling, brawling model that followers may stay up for, however he’s NEVER been that kind of a fighter.
Stevenson has had an historic fossil Mayweather-esque preventing method since he turned professional out of the Olympics. He’s like a musician from the Forties who got here via a time warp into the twenty first century.
Can Shakur Entertain?
For Stevenson, it’s necessary that he made it entertaining as a result of that is Turki Alalshikh’s card, and there can be a variety of boxing followers ordering the competition, which can be proven stay on DAZN.
If Shakur desires to headline among the future reveals as a substitute of being buried on the undercard like he’s with the February twenty second card, he wants to remain within the pocket and commerce with the 22-year-old Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs). He must put his chin on the road to make it entertaining for the followers if he desires the next spot on Turki’s future playing cards.
He desires fighters that entertain the followers, and Shakur doesn’t meet these requirements, or not less than he hasn’t prior to now. It’s not too late for Stevenson to show over a brand new leaf and turn into a pocket fighter, however I don’t assume he can. He’s obtained an excessive amount of rabbit in him.
“Child Austin is 22. Tommy Hearns fought Ray Leonard at 21 [correction: Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearn fought Sugar Ray Leonard for the first time at 22 years, 10 months on September 16, 1981]. I don’t get into that. Manny Pacquiao was a champion at 19 and Floyd Mayweather at 21,” mentioned Stephen Edwards to Fighthype when requested if Floyd Schofield is just too younger at 22 to be preventing WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson.
“[Mike] Tyson was a champion at 20. Muhammad Ali at 22. Salvador Sanchez at 20. I may go down the listing,” mentioned Edwards. “Oscar De La Hoya, and Felix Trinidad. I feel he was a champion at 20. Even Canelo and Inoue. They’re two of the higher guys on this period. They received championships at 20 and 21 years previous.”
Stephen isn’t saying that these fighters had been a lot better than Schofield, and so they’d been trying excellent earlier than they received their first world titles. They weren’t struggling towards lower-tier fighters the way in which Schofield has. That’s one thing that Edwards glosses over, along with his point out of nice fighters prior to now who received world titles at an early age.
“Is it a tricky struggle? Sure. Is Shakur going to be a prohibitive favourite? Sure,” mentioned Edwards on the Stevenson vs. Schofield struggle on February twenty second. “Did Child Austin battle in his final struggle [against Rene Tellez Giron]? Sure. I nonetheless give him [Kid Austin] credit score for taking this struggle. Typically, you need to take these fights in your bodily prime.
“Typically youth overcomes a variety of issues, and so they appear assured,” mentioned Edwards about Schofield and his dad, Floyd Sr. “Allow them to struggle. I by no means say that. I by no means attempt to maintain a man again from eager to struggle. In the event you assume you’re adequate, then go in there and struggle. Do I feel he’s going to win?
“I really assume Shakur is likely one of the higher 10 to 12 fighters on the planet. Shakur is a particular man, additionally. However rugged, athletic guys have a tendency to provide easy boxers onerous fights. Shawn Porter gave all people onerous fights, and that’s who Child Austin jogs my memory of essentially the most. Tim Bradley is within the Corridor of Fame. He was rugged, athletic, and gave all people a tricky struggle,” mentioned Edwards.
Is Shakur Overrated?
Stevenson isn’t the most effective fighters on the planet, and never even shut. His model of preventing isn’t the most effective in boxing, and he’s not entertaining to look at. He’s a defensive man, and that’s it. To be the most effective fighters within the sport, you need to stability offense and protection.
Shakur is just defensive. He’s 95% protection and 5% offense. His shut win over Edwin De Los Santos final 12 months confirmed that he’s not the most effective fighters on the planet as a result of if he had been, he’d have dominated him as a substitute of being booed out of the T-Cell Enviornment that evening in Las Vegas. Edwards has obtained it incorrect.
Schofield’s previous probabilities of profitable are by being aggressive, throwing energy photographs, and placing fixed strain on Shakur in each spherical of the struggle. He’s going to must be good at slicing off the ring as a result of Stevenson can be transferring consistently, as he all the time does, attempting to not get hit.
Feb 22 belt 2 ass make sure that yall tune in Watch me beat on Child Austin like he stole one thing… Classic Kur again 🦾
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) December 24, 2024
