-
Andreas Hale
NEW YORK — Although he was an undefeated three-division world champion with a considerably larger 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 as a result of his fights not being entertaining sufficient. As an alternative, Edgar Berlanga — who misplaced a very one-sided combat to Canelo Alvarez final September — was elevated to the principle occasion.
It was clear that Alalshikh was making a press release that he is in opposition to 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.
During the promotion for his WBC light-weight title protection in opposition to the offensive-minded William Zepeda, Stevenson promised that he would not be working from his opponent. And when the combat befell 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 wiped 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 determination. “It wasn’t the efficiency I used to be on the lookout for as a result of I got here in right here attempting to show a degree, I used to be attempting to combat. So, I took extra punishment than typical. However on the finish of the day, I informed y’all no matter it takes to get the job performed.”
Stevenson landed an absurdly excessive 52.5% of his punches (295 of 565) over the course of the 12-round combat. Zepeda, whereas busy, struggled to attach in opposition to 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’d marvel what Stevenson meant when he mentioned that he took extra punishment than typical. When Stevenson is not attempting 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 actual take care of an enormous win over William Zepeda,” Alalshikh posted on X after the combat.
Regardless of the purpose was for him to be within the co-main occasion, the champion proved that he’s adequate to win fights in no matter manner he needs. He is an excellent fighter that should not be pressured to combat a distinct manner because casual fans finds it unexciting.
Though knockouts are thrilling, Sheeraz’s beatdown of Berlanga should not be anticipated from fighters as a way 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 adequate to beat them sends the unsuitable message. That is already a tricky sport, and asking fighters to bludgeon one another for the sake of leisure and abandon the defensive facet 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 an alternative, his opponents ought to work more durable to seek out methods to beat him. Hopefully, that is the final time we see a fighter punished for being too good.