RENO, Nev. -- It will be a battle of unbeaten contenders on Oct. 26 on ESPN+. Former Olympian and silver medal winner Shakur Stevenson will take on Joet Gonzalez for a vacant WBO featherweight title. To make things more interesting - at least for those who love some good celebrity gossip - Stevenson is dating the sister of Gonzalez and for his part, Gonzalez isn't too pleased about it. Despite the love life drama it will also be a huge fight for both men because it marks the first title shot for both.
When Stevenson (12-0, 7 KOs) first turned pro there were people who didn't think he'd develop enough power or adjust well enough to the pro style. So far he's proven all of his doubters wrong. The New Jersey native who fights out of the southpaw stance looks like the total package. He works behind a skilled jab and has fast hands. Stevenson's defense is good and should improve going forward but his offense already seems fully formed. He has an accurate right hook that he loves to pound to the body and he can also punish opponents with a straight left hand upstairs. The 22-year-old still needs to prove himself against better opposition but so far it looks like he's got the goods.
After winning a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics, Stevenson has made some mature moves for his career. He signed with Top Rank, a promotional company that has proven itself more than capable and developing stars and brought former champ and future hall of famer Andre Ward in as his manager. Hailing from Newark, New Jersey Stevenson has also regularly fought in the tri-state area in an effort to grow his fan base. While he's yet to really venture into the deep waters he has been raising his level of opposition and in his last two fights beat solid fighters in Christopher Diaz and Alberto Guevara. Now Stevenson will vie for his first title while also facing off against his best opponent to date in Gonzalez.
Gonzalez (23-0, 14 KOs) also has a good jab and quick hands. He also has more experience as a pro than Stevenson does, having turned pro in 2012, a full five years before Stevenson did. He might not move around as well as Stevenson but he certainly doesn't have cement shoes and he never gets overly aggressive or anxious in the ring. Gonzalez has a solid left hook along with a right hand that can land and he can fight well from both the outside and in the pocket. Gonzalez's ability to find success from varying distances makes him a versatile fighter that's a tough out for anyone.
Despite having more experience as a pro it isn't like Gonzalez has been fighting a much higher level of opposition than Stevenson has. His best opponent to date is Manuel Avila and Gonzalez was impressive in that fight, stopping Avila in the sixth round. Now Gonzalez will look to win his first world title while also beating the man who is currently dating his sister, a relationship Gonzalez has expressed his frustration over.
While this fight might be flying under the radar because it falls on the same night as the junior welterweight unification fight between Regis Prograis and Josh Taylor, it will be a good test for both men and should be an exciting fight. Not only is there bad blood between Stevenson and Gonzalez but one of them will capture their first world title while the other will see his perfect record tarnished. Stevenson really believes in his skills so look for him to come out quickly and aggressively in an attempt to test Gonzalez. If Gonzalez weathers that early storm he should be able to settle in and that's when this fight will really get good.
PREDICTION: Joet Gonzalez is a good fighter and he brings enough skills to the ring to give Shakur Stevenson problems. However, Stevenson just has that special quality about him and while he won't blow Gonzalez out of the water he will get the better of most of the action on his way to a 10th round stoppage.
 |
| Stevenson, moments after stopping Alberto Guevara |
After winning a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics, Stevenson has made some mature moves for his career. He signed with Top Rank, a promotional company that has proven itself more than capable and developing stars and brought former champ and future hall of famer Andre Ward in as his manager. Hailing from Newark, New Jersey Stevenson has also regularly fought in the tri-state area in an effort to grow his fan base. While he's yet to really venture into the deep waters he has been raising his level of opposition and in his last two fights beat solid fighters in Christopher Diaz and Alberto Guevara. Now Stevenson will vie for his first title while also facing off against his best opponent to date in Gonzalez.
Gonzalez (23-0, 14 KOs) also has a good jab and quick hands. He also has more experience as a pro than Stevenson does, having turned pro in 2012, a full five years before Stevenson did. He might not move around as well as Stevenson but he certainly doesn't have cement shoes and he never gets overly aggressive or anxious in the ring. Gonzalez has a solid left hook along with a right hand that can land and he can fight well from both the outside and in the pocket. Gonzalez's ability to find success from varying distances makes him a versatile fighter that's a tough out for anyone.
 |
| Gonzalez, shooting the jab |
While this fight might be flying under the radar because it falls on the same night as the junior welterweight unification fight between Regis Prograis and Josh Taylor, it will be a good test for both men and should be an exciting fight. Not only is there bad blood between Stevenson and Gonzalez but one of them will capture their first world title while the other will see his perfect record tarnished. Stevenson really believes in his skills so look for him to come out quickly and aggressively in an attempt to test Gonzalez. If Gonzalez weathers that early storm he should be able to settle in and that's when this fight will really get good.
PREDICTION: Joet Gonzalez is a good fighter and he brings enough skills to the ring to give Shakur Stevenson problems. However, Stevenson just has that special quality about him and while he won't blow Gonzalez out of the water he will get the better of most of the action on his way to a 10th round stoppage.
Comments
Post a Comment