In a bid to prove himself one of the best in pound boxing, Shakur Stevenson pitted his WBO lightweight title against WBC champion Oscar Valdes in a major unification bout Saturday night in Las Vegas. Although the battle was the most dangerous in Stevenson’s career, he overcame Valdes very easily, reaching a big victory with a unanimous decision.
Valdes, a fighter known for his rude and aggressive approach to his fights, spent much of the battle in a neutral position, standing in front of Stevenson without letting go of his hands. This approach allowed Stevenson to use a simple hitting strategy to adjust straight left from his left-handed position.
Valdez had brief moments of success, occasionally making his way forward and punching the slippery, more skilled Stevenson. However, these moments were few and often were Stevenson, whose body photos provided more meaningful work.
The biggest moment of the battle came in round 8, when Stevenson hit the right hook, which tripped Valdes. Another right hook seconds later sent Valdes to shoot the ropes. With the ropes that held him, it was decided to be a knockdown, giving Stevenson a 10-8 round and a little extra lining in a battle where he really never needed it.
Valdes simply didn’t pose a real danger to Stevenson for the full 12 rounds, leaving the ring with a swollen, flushed face after swallowing round after round of clean, clean punches.
In fact, the most risky moment of the night for Stevenson may have been when he interrupted his interview after a fight to propose marriage to the mother of his young daughter in the middle of the ring. She said yes, giving Stevenson his second win of the night.
The final results are 117-110, 118-109 and 118-109, all of which are not surprising for Stevenson.
Asked what was next in the ring, Stevenson admitted that his future could be in the lightweight category, before saying that his immediate concern is to collect two more belts in the junior lightweight category.
“I’m a superstar in this sport,” Stevenson said. “Order them, name them. I’m ready for anyone … Everyone. Each of the champions. I’m going to collect all the belts at 130 and become undisputed. I deserve to be a superstar. “
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