Oscar Valdez vs Shakur Stevenson Preview
This Saturday live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Nevada Las Vegas Bob Arum’s Top Rank have backed themselves to deliver the fight of the weekend as they go up against DAZN’s offering of Taylor v Serrano. Future pound for pound superstar Shakur Stevenson looking to take on the recently controversial Mexican Oscar Valdez.
Shakur Stevenson a long time standout amateur which peaked at the 2016 Olympics and a Silver medal and at 24 years of age is already a 2 weight world champion. Shakur is the closest thing to Floyd Mayweather we have seen in the last decade. After his best performance to date last time out against Jemal Herring, this fight against a popular Mexican fighter leading into Cinco de Mayo weekend, could be the breakout fight where Shakur announces himself to the world and enters the pound for pound top 10
Shakur’s (17-0 9ko) two standout career performances to date were Joet Gonzalez where he picked up the WBO Featherweight title in a totally dominant performance which looks even more impressive after Gonzalez war with Emanuel Navarette in October. Shakurs skill and speed along with defensive nous guided him to a easy decision victory. Last October Stevenson showed his offensive arsenal when putting a beat down on friend Jemal Herring. Stevensons skill set was again there for all to see making his opponent miss and pay for his mistakes forcing the referee to jump in and call the fight off in the 10th round.
Oscar Valdez (30-0 23KOs) has recently gone from receiving the highest of praise from Boxing fans to scornful disdain in the space of 7 months. From the highlight reel knockout of Miguel Berchelt crowning him a 2 weight world champion in the most spectacular fashion to being ridiculed and criticised for failing a drug test - both A and B samples (how Valdez was still allowed to fight shows the true class of the WBC and their respect for their own clean boxing program) and then producing a poor performance where many felt he lost but gifted the decision highlights the turbulence the Mexican has been through.
In Shakur Stevenson I feel this is his most difficult assignment to date as after a poor performance against a skilled boxer last time out to step up against an elite boxer this time around shows Valdez he has massive self belief and cajones (potentially shrunken steroid fuelled ones) to put his reputation on the line.
How can Oscar Valdez nullify Shakur's strengths and overcome his opponents speed and accuracy advantages? He has to take risks and be willing to get hit and try and trade with Stevenson. Valdez does carry the most power in this one and if he connects with a clean shot like he did against Miguel Berchalt then he is capable of pulling off the upset! I just feel that Shakur's skill set and ability to control the distance will disrupt the rhythm of the Mexican enough to stop him landing flush all night and for Shakur Stevenson to become the unified and Ring belt Super featherweight champion via a comfortable and impressive points decision victory.
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