Shakur Stevenson stops Felix Caraballo in Top Rank’s COVID-19 card return!
WBO featherweight champion Shakur “Fearless” Stevenson (13-0, 7KOs) in headlining boxing’s return from the COVID-19 pandemic, was looking to make a statement in his debut in the junior lightweight division. Many didn’t expect much of a contest against Felix Caraballo (13-1-2, 9KOs) given this was Top Rank’s first card since the pandemic swept across the entire nation.
What many fans expected ended up being a reality!
In the opening round, Caraballo came out fast applying pressure and pushing Stevenson back to the ropes while ripping shots to the body. Or maybe that was by design on the favorite’s part as a way to “feel out his opponent” because this did not last very long at all!
Stevenson would quickly set the distance and dictate the pace which would eventually lead to scoring a knockdown via a right-hook to the body.
Rounds two and three were all Stevenson! He started to open up offensively, picking Caraballo apart. Showing versatility, the WBO featherweight champion would fight in close quarters and rip shots downstairs. He briefly shook up Caraballo up in the third round but was unable to repeat scoring a knockdown.
After dominating the fourth and fifth rounds, Stevenson closed the show with a beautiful left-uppercut to the body! It immediately sent the underdog down in agonizing pain and unable to beat the count.
As expected, it was a dominant performance from the champion.
With this fight now behind him, he can now look forward to a possible unification bout with IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington (30-0, 7KOs). Stevenson recently claimed that he will be ready to get back in the ring by August or September and is willing to take the trip to the UK for the unification.
However, Warrington is expected to face WBA regular chapion Xu Can in his next bout. Fans will have to wait to see what decision will be made next!
By: Jerrell Fletcher
