Shakur Stevenson says it will be “better than ever“When he returns to the ring in February to defend his WBC lightweight title against William Zepeda.
New Jersey native Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) has a lot to prove because he hasn’t looked like the same fighter since he moved up from the 130 lb division. In two of Shakur’s three fights since moving up to 135, he’s looked weak and shaky.
Stevenson has shown that he lacks the physical and mental armament to compete against fighters at 135. Many who saw the fight of Shakur against Edwin De Los Santos last year on November 16 saw that he did not not possess the tools to fight against the top-rung. light fighters.
135 is all wrong for Stevenson?
If Shakur is knocked out by #1 William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) on February 22, he must decide whether to retire from 135 and see it as a lost cause.
If Shakur returns to 130, he can pick up where he left off and dominate this weak division against fighters like Lamont Roach, O’Shaquie Foster, Anthony Cacace and Emanuel Navarrete. Those types of fighters are right up Shakur’s path, and he could dominate against them for many years.
What is obvious to all is that Shakur is lacking in these areas:
- power: The lack of power was evident in Shakur’s fights against Edwin De Los Santos and Artem Harutyunyan.
- Bravery under fire: Shakur isn’t willing to stay in the pocket since moving lightly. When Shakur fought at 126 and 130, he had no problem staying on the ground, trying to trade with his opposition. At 135, he can’t do that because he’s afraid of being cut by the most powerful punchers in this weight class.
- Bone structure: Shakur’s hands haven’t held up since moving up to 135. They slipped in his fight against De Los Santos and prevented him from training camp for his canceled fight against Joe Cordina.
Zepeda will face veteran Tevin Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round contest at the Latino Night event on November 16 at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This will be a practice fight for Zepeda to prepare for the mobility that Shakur will use against him next February.
It will be interesting to see how Shakur reacts when Zepeda destroys Farmer, as many expect. Will Shakur have second thoughts about facing Zepeda? Although Shakur’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, wants him to fight Zepeda, he doesn’t have to. We can easily wrap up telling Hearn that he wants a deal first against Cordina, and he will grant his wish.
Bet what you want, but I’ll be better than ever
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 4, 2024
Come and take the first place in the way you should go
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 4, 2024
