Both boxing fans and insiders have been highly critical of Shakur Stevenson in the past. Despite the talent shown while outclassing his past sixteen opponents, critics found a way to label the Newark native as an unentertaining fighter lacking aggression. Stevenson did a lot to quiet his critics after his latest performance.
Shakur Stevenson challenged tough veteran Jemel Herring last night for the right to call himself the WBO world super featherweight champion. Herring, an ex-marine, was the biggest and best opponent to share the ring with Stevenson to date.
Stevenson outclassed Herring from the opening bell. The new WBO super featherweight champion opened a cut over Herring’s left eye, caused swelling to his right eye, and finally stopped the former champion in the tenth round. The young boxing champion turned in a brilliant and violent performance that will likely propel him to stardom.
“I wanted to show my skills, my boxing, my power,” an excited Stevenson explained after gaining his second world title. “I wanted to show everything tonight.”
“I smelled blood,” Stevenson speaks of the attack he launched after Herring suffered the cut in the ninth round. “I was trying to touch the cut to make the doctor stop it.”
Herring admits he probably made a mistake by trying to box with the faster Stevenson in the first few rounds. “I couldn’t be in that chess match with him, Herring explains. “I had to bite down and move forward.
The problem for the former champion is that moving forward did not bring any more success. Shakur Stevenson was able to counter Herring’s aggression with effective counterpunching.
Shakur Stevenson improved his record to 17-0, with nine victories coming by knockout. The young champion has made it known that he eventually wants to compete in the talent-laden 135-pound division. But after his fight with Herring, he still has important business to take care of in the super featherweight division.
“There’s one fight left, the biggest fight in the division,” Stevenson proclaimed. “Oscar Valdez can’t keep ducking.”