In boxing, you hear the term bright prospect banded about all too often. You also hear the word potential used quite frequently.
But occasionally, the word “special” is used and only occasionally, when all three of these terms have been used to describe a young fighter, do the said fighter go on to fulfil everything that’s been said about them.
Although it’s still early days. At just 24 years old, Shakur Stevenson seems to be on that fulfilment path and has started his career living up to these terms.
With a record of 17 fights, 17 wins (9 stoppages) and following his most recent 10th round stoppage of tough Jamel Herring, he is now a two weight world champion, adding the WBO super featherweight title to the WBO featherweight title he won in 2019.
But it’s not just the fact he is a two weight world champion, as impressive that feat is for a 24 year old.
But the manor of the victory in Atlanta, Georgia on October 23rd, that makes it all the more special. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying Jamel Herring’s skillset is in the higher echelon’s of the sport.
But he is an honest, genuine and tough individual who did two tours of duty in Iraq and earned the rank as a sergeant. He is no push over and certainly would give anyone a good fight, let alone a young, budding superstar.
Not to mention, Herring ended the career of an ageing but albeit still very good Carl Frampton, as he stopped the Brit in just six rounds to retain his WBO super featherweight title.
Frampton was 34 in that fight and Herring is 35, so the age difference was always a factor. But Herring had held this title since May 2019 and defended it three times.
Although Stevenson was the clear favourite, there had been questions following his last two points victories, some were questioning his superstar status and skillset, others were calling him more flash than substance. some even called him boring.
Even at 35, Herring was a huge test for Stevenson and this fight, more particularly, how he would deal with the tough, rugged and experienced Herring, would tell us more about Stevenson.
This is where the “special” tag came into play. In the build up that at one stage became very personal, due to both fighters coming from the same camp.
It was well documented they had mutual friends, training parters and coaches. It was the first real build up where the spotlight and pressure was fully on Stevenson and questions were raised.
However, like a true superstar he seemed to relish the spotlight, excel in the pressure and perform in the face of doubt. For me, the fight was surprisingly one sided, Herring was supposed to make it a tough brawl but Stevenson’s skill did not allow this.
He looked slick, sharp, composed throughout and was efficient and accurate with his punches.
Stevenson was on the front foot early, surprisingly claiming the centre of the ring and pushed Herring back.
As both were southpaw’s, it was a battle of right jab and Stevenson’s jab was just too quick for him and his left hook too sharp and accurate.
Herring, to his credit, realised this midway though the fight and tried to push the pace a bit and get closer.
But this is where Stevenson showed another gear, he then fought well inside and although Herring did better, Stevenson won that side of the fight too.
Herring, like a true warrior fought gallantly, but the fight became a hard, up hill battle and by time it hit the 9th round, Stevenson was well ahead on the cards, possibly winning every round.
His combination of slick footwork, neat and tidy punches, with stinging power and grit, was just too much for Herring. It took its tool as Stevenson opened up a bad cut over Herring’s right eye in the 9th, which had to be checked by the doctor before being let out for the tenth.
Previously, Stevenson had been criticised for cruising to easy victories. But this time, he was having none of that.
He threw his punches with spite and anger, seemingly looking to prove a point, and prove a point he did, as he powering in on Herring with a few accurate, unanswered combinations forcing the ref to stop the fight in the 10th for a superb victory.
It was a very eye opening performance and one for the boxing community to step up and take notice of. Still only 24, fighting at super featherweight, his future possibilities in the sport are endless.
A very exciting thought is that he can easily move up to the star-studded lightweight division.
Where there are some real mouthwatering fights against the likes of Devin Haney, Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta Davis, possibly Ryan Garcia and even Vasiliy Lomachenko.
However, personally, for the time being at least, I would very much like to see Stevenson stay at super featherweight.
He could try to pick up the vacant IBF title and then look to unify the division with a fight against the unbeaten WBC champion Oscar Valdez, which is another tasty prospect.
No matter what the case maybe, I undoubtedly feel boxing has another legitimate star in Shakur Stevenson, a fighter who seems to have that unique quality of being able to improve and raise his game, the better the opposition and the bigger the occasion.
At just 24, judging by his last outing, he seems to be developing into a complete fighter.
Who is highly skilful inside the ring and marketable outside it.
No doubt there will be much tougher assignments ahead, something I am certainly looking forward to seeing and documenting, as I truly believe we will be witnessing the career of a very special boxer.
