Shakur Stevenson reveals his mentality heading into Jamel Herring fight!
On October 23, unbeaten former WBO featherweight champion Shakur “Fearless” Stevenson (16-0, 8KOs) will attempt to become a two-division world champion when he takes on WBO junior lightweight champion Jamel “Semper Fi” Herring (23-2, 11KOs). The two recently came face-to-face at a press conference to formally announce their showdown.
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Stevenson, a 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist, appeared very confident. He made it clear to Herring that he was going to beat him up and take his title. In the aftermath of the press conference, the New Jersey native would divulge why he feels the way he does heading into this very intriguing title fight.
Speaking to BeatsBoxingMayhem he said the following:
“I’m not naturally the bigger guy, but I feel like I’m going to be physically the stronger man. Physically he’s not that strong. I feel like he’s mentally weak, and his inside game is a little suspect. So at the end of the day, when we get in there, I’m going to be able to show it. Like I said, on the inside, I feel like he grabs, he doesn’t know how to punch, he don’t know how to hold his own on there, and I feel like I’m going to show a lot that night.”
ON WHY HE FEELS HERRING IS MENTALLY WEAK!
Stevenson would go on to try and validate his point of Herring not having a strong mental game. He pointed out the champion’s fight with Jonathan Oquendo, which ended after eight rounds due to an intentional headbutt from the challenger. The collision resulted in a cut over the right eye of the champion. Herring, who admitted he could’ve fought but chose to cease action, faced harsh criticism from former two-division world champion Timothy Bradley, who was the commentator of that fight.
To Stevenson, that decision ultimately showed, in his eyes, that Semper Fi has some quit in him. It’s clear that Stevenson will be looking to exploit all the perceived weaknesses and liabilities in Herring’s game come fight night. Will the young fighter be able to take the former Marine’s world title as he’s so confidently proclaimed? Mark your calendar’s for October 23 to find out!
By: Jerrell Fletcher
