Oscar Valdez Tips His Cap To Shakur Stevenson: “He Has Great Boxing Skills, He Was The Better Man”

By: Hans Themistode

Shakur Stevenson was every thing Oscar Valdez was anticipating and extra.

The Mexican native and now, former WBO tremendous featherweight titlist, did his finest to offset the supreme boxing expertise of the previous Olympic silver medalist. The 2 engaged in a tactical chess match in the principle occasion on the MGM Grand Enviornment in Las Vegas, Nevada, late final evening.

Pegged as a heavy favourite, Stevenson stored Valdez at vary within the opening few rounds. On the midway level, following a concentrated assault to Stevenson’s midsection, Valdez started selecting up the tempo. Within the eighth, particularly, Valdez rendered Stevenson’s usually defensive brilliance ineffective. Through the spherical, the Mexican product landed 17 complete punches, greater than some other opponent in any explicit spherical in Stevenson’s comparatively quick profession.

Though Valdez started his livid comeback, Stevenson tamed his man within the following spherical, touchdown 16 photographs of his personal, whereas solely permitting Valdez to attach on 4.

As Valdez sauntered again to his nook on the finish of the ultimate spherical, he hung his head low, realizing good and nicely that Stevenson had simply handed him the primary defeat of his profession. Moments later, Valdez’s fears got here to fruition as Stevenson was awarded the unanimous determination victory.

Whereas visibly upset along with his efficiency, Valdez kept away from blaming himself. As an alternative, he tipped his cap to Stevenson as an indication of respect.

“He has nice boxing expertise,” mentioned Valdez following his defeat. “He was simply the higher man tonight.”

Stevenson, recognized for his defensive acumen, positioned his energy on show all through the evening, notably within the sixth. The loquacious and supremely assured star evaded a looping left hand that was hurled in his path. Valdez, in consequence, stumbled into the ropes. Although he was conscious of his environment, Stevenson shortly landed a sneaky proper hand, sending Valdez to the canvas.

Shortly after, Valdez instantly rose to his ft and protested referee Tim Cheatham’s determination to rule it as a knockdown. Finally, Valdez is unwilling to fulminate over the choice of the referee. Nevertheless, exterior of what he believes was an unjustly referred to as knockdown, Valdez admits that Stevenson was merely a reduce above him.

“The referee referred to as a knockdown, I personally suppose it wasn’t, it was ,ore of a slip however he’s a fantastic fighter. His pace is there, his energy is there, his footwork, takes little dangers. General, only a nice fighter.”