Shakur Stevenson: record, next fight and profile →
Shakur Stevenson is trying to win the fight before the fight against Oscar Valdez ahead of their anticipated junior lightweight unification match by first engaging in the all-important mental bout.
By Keith Idec - LAS VEGAS – Shakur Stevenson seemed pleased Thursday with the extent of performance-enhancing drug testing prior to his showdown with Oscar Valdez on Saturday night. Comprehensive PED testing was a point of emphasis for Stevenson and his team during negotiations for their 130-pound title unification bout because Valdez tested positive for Phentermine, a substance banned by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association both in and out of competition, a month before he was allowed to box Brazil’s Robson Conceicao on September 10 in Tucson, Arizona.
LAS VEGAS – Shakur Stevenson still isn’t sure how Oscar Valdez was allowed to fight Robson Conceicao on September 10. The unbeaten WBO junior lightweight champion is convinced he wouldn’t have been licensed to box that night if it had been him that tested positive for a stimulant on the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association’s list of banned substances. Phentermine was detected in Valdez’s “A” and “B” samples submitted to VADA on August 13, four weeks before he encountered Conceicao in Tucson, Arizona.
Valdez, Stevenson Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - WBC champion Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs) and WBO king Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) had their first fight week faceoff Thursday, two days out from their unification showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Shakur Stevenson intends to add two more 130-pound championships to his collection after Saturday night. The undefeated southpaw won the WBO junior lightweight title by stopping Jamel Herring in the 10th round of his last fight, which took place October 23 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. If the favored Stevenson conquers Oscar Valdez on Saturday night, he’ll leave Las Vegas with the WBC super featherweight championship as well.
By Cliff Rold - Unification fever is everywhere in boxing right now. Weeks removed from Errol Spence-Yordenis Ugas at welterweight, Jr. lightweight gets into the mix. 24-year old US Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KO) puts his WBO belt on the line against 31-year old 2012 Mexican Olympian and WBC titlist Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KO). It’s both men’s second title in as many weight classes and both enter closely removed from career best wins.
According to Archie Sharp, he has the gameplan to cause Shakur Stevenson problems and believes the unbeaten champion is worried about fighting him.
Shakur Stevenson obviously is a more complete fighter than Miguel Berchelt was in his prime. Stevenson’s diverse skill set, which was fully displayed during his 10th-round stoppage of Jamel Herring in his last fight, has made him a heavy favorite over Oscar Valdez. Canelo Alvarez is still surprised Valdez’s doubters haven’t given him more respect in advance of the unbeaten WBC super featherweight champion’s title unification fight versus Stevenson.
ESPN will televise Shakur Stevenson’s biggest fight to date Saturday night. The unbeaten WBO junior lightweight champion hopes, however, that another impressive performance – this time against his most imposing opponent in 18 professional fights – will enhance his popularity among hardcore and casual boxing fans. During a conference call conducted through Zoom on Monday, Stevenson stated that he “most definitely” anticipates ascending to the pay-per-view level soon enough.
Two judges with whom Shakur Stevenson and Oscar Valdez are familiar will officially score their fight Saturday night. BoxingScene.com has learned that the Nevada State Athletic Commission assigned Nevada judges Tim Cheatham and Dave Moretti and Oklahoma’s David Sutherland to work their 12-round, 130-pound title unification fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Nevada’s Kenny Bayless has been chosen as the referee who’ll officiate their fight.