NEW YORK — Though he was an undefeated three-division world champion with a considerably greater profile than anybody else on the cardboard, Shakur Stevenson was relegated to the co-main occasion of Ring Journal 3 by Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Basic Leisure Authority, presumably attributable to his fights not being entertaining sufficient. As a substitute, Edgar Berlanga — who misplaced a really one-sided battle to Canelo Alvarez final September — was elevated to the principle occasion.
It was clear that Alalshikh was making a press release that he is towards the thought of “Tom & Jerry fights” (learn: the place one boxer runs from the opposite) and Stevenson’s previous couple of fights, whereas dominant, match the invoice. Stevenson did not take many dangers.
At some point of the promotion for his WBC light-weight title protection towards the offensive-minded William Zepeda, Stevenson promised that he would not be operating from his opponent. And when the battle passed off at Louis Armstrong Stadium on Saturday, Stevenson not solely delivered on his promise, however he delivered a one-sided drubbing to Zepeda with a close to shutout victory.
And after Hamzah Sheeraz worn out Berlanga, the supposed star of the present, in 5 rounds, it was clear that Stevenson ought to by no means, ever be a co-main occasion fighter once more.
“I got here in right here to show a degree,” mentioned Stevenson after successful a unanimous choice. “It wasn’t the efficiency I used to be searching for as a result of I got here in right here making an attempt to show a degree, I used to be making an attempt to battle. So, I took extra punishment than typical. However on the finish of the day, I advised y’all no matter it takes to get the job finished.”
Stevenson landed an absurdly excessive 52.5% of his punches (295 of 565) over the course of the 12-round battle. Zepeda, whereas busy, struggled to attach towards an opponent that stood proper in entrance of him, touchdown 272 of 979 punches for 27.8%, in accordance with CompuBox.
Studying these numbers, you’ll surprise what Stevenson meant when he mentioned that he took extra punishment than typical. When Stevenson is not making an attempt to remain within the pocket, he is utilizing his lateral motion to remain out of vary. In accordance with Compubox, Stevenson permits the fewest punches to land on him per spherical in comparison with different championship-caliber fighters, with a miniscule 5.4 punches landed on him per spherical. On Saturday, Zepeda landed 22.6 punches per spherical. However Stevenson received 10 of 12 rounds on two judges’ scorecards and 11 of 12 rounds on the third scorecard.
Assertion made.
“Shakur Stevenson exhibits he is the true take care of an enormous win over William Zepeda,” Alalshikh posted on X after the battle.
Regardless of the motive was for him to be within the co-main occasion, the champion proved that he’s ok to win fights in no matter manner he needs. He is an excellent fighter that should not be pressured to battle a distinct manner as a result of informal followers finds it unexciting.
Though knockouts are thrilling, Sheeraz’s beatdown of Berlanga should not be anticipated from fighters in an effort to be in the principle occasion. Boxing is an artwork, and the best practitioners of the candy science hope to exit the game with their wits intact. Penalizing sensible fighters like Stevenson as a result of their opponents aren’t ok to beat them sends the unsuitable message. That is already a troublesome sport, and asking fighters to bludgeon one another for the sake of leisure and abandon the defensive aspect of the sport is preposterous.
Stevenson confirmed what he might do when he felt like he wanted to, however now the onus should not be on him. As a substitute, his opponents ought to work tougher to search out methods to beat him. Hopefully, that is the final time we see a fighter punished for being too good.