Shakur Happy To Bring Boxing Back
Now that boxing is set to return to television air waves, WBO world featherweight champion “Fearless” Shakur Stevenson (13-0, 7 KO’s) is happy to lead the charge. Stevenson will once again ply his bruising trade on June 9 when he takes on the challenge of Felix “La Sombra” Caraballo (13-1-2, 9 KO’s).
The two will collide in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has unofficially renamed ‘the bubble.’ Despite the likelihood of this bout having a tremendous viewing audience, Stevenson has not troubled himself to do much investigation on Caraballo. However, that is in accordance with his track record.
BACK IN ACTION
As a former Olympian and one of America’s most promising upcoming fighters, it should come as little surprise that Stevenson puts a great deal of faith in his skillset. This is the primary reason why he does not concern himself with watching a great deal of footage on his upcoming opposition.
“It feels good being the first one back, being the one to bring boxing back. It feels good, I am ready to put on an amazing performance and show the world what I am capable of doing.”
“…I ain’t really watched too much of the opponent, I don’t know too much about the opponent so. It’s for sure good for boxing to be back and the pandemic is kind of slowing everything down, but boxing is back and it’s still going to be a great show put on, so.”
“…I don’t want this fight to go past four rounds, if I’m being honest. I told you, I watched one or two rounds of the guy, I don’t think he is that good. So I feel like I don’t want this fight to go past four rounds. I feel like I want to put on a great performance for everybody watching at home and I want to deliver.”
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Prior to the pandemic and all the rearrangements that came with it, Stevenson was originally slated to face #6 WBO ranked featherweight Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga (29-3, 25 KO’s). Yet, when all of sports were effectively shut down by the nationwide protocols, that fight also went up in smoke.
“I was mad at the time because I did like a whole eight week training camp and I felt really good going into that fight. And I felt like I was going to put on a really good performance and when it got cancelled I kind was salty. But now I am good, I’m glad that I am the one to be the first one to bring boxing back, first one back in the ring and I think I deserve it.”
BIGGER AND BETTER
Being gifted with the skillset that he has, it’s only natural that Stevenson has assigned himself some lofty goals. And this is precisely why, in his mind, his June 9 opposition is only the next stop on a long journey of greatness.
“I am a million percent sure that I am going to achieve that goal and achieve all the other goals I got in my head. So, I am a million percent sure. I know for a fact that I will win the title at 130. When its time for me to get done with 130, I’m going to go up to ‘35 and win a title, go up to ’40 and win a title, then go up to 47, win the title. So I know I’m going to achieve my goals.”
By: Bakari Simpson
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