Via Jim Calfa: Shakur Stevenson (18-0.9 KOs) held on to his WBC lightweight title, proving boxing is too big for WBC belt holder Oscar Valdez (30-1, 23 KOs) in a one-time win. round 12 decided unanimously in front of a rowdy crowd on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Score: 117-110, 118-109, 118-109.
As many would expect, the 31-year-old Valdez can’t match the 24-year-old younger Stevenson, who looks huge inside the ring tonight.
Valdez couldn’t do anything to get close enough to land with his right hand and left hook continuously.
When Valdez tries to close the gap, Stevenson will back away and move quickly. When Valdez tried to chase him, Stevenson used his stiff right arm to keep Oscar out of range.
It was a brilliant move, but unfortunately it was illegal, and the referee should have done his job to stop Shakur’s tactic.
Valdez looks as if he’s in the ring with a heavy weight, and he doesn’t have the size or the agility to approach him. The real scary thing is that Stevenson can use a stiff arm, making it impossible for Valdez to get close to him to throw punches.
Undoubted heart. #ValdezStevenson pic.twitter.com/rNhUTjYCtA
– Top boxing (@trboxing) May 1, 2022
Stevenson stretched his arm out in front of him, shoving him hard but not letting Valdez get close to him.
For a fight of this magnitude, it’s surprising that Stevenson was allowed to use a stiff arm without penalty or disqualification for this tactic.
“I want to say I’m sorry I didn’t get the win,” Valdez said after the battle. “I want to bring it back to Mexico. We didn’t get the job done. I promised everyone that we would try.
In the end, you could argue that Valdez should never have entered this fight because it was clear that by the time the showdown took place, he had no chance of defeating Shakur much greater.
Valdez is an excellent fighter, but he’s no match for a boxer as big as Stevenson, who should at least fight at light if not lightweight.
Respect among champions #ValdezStevenson pic.twitter.com/kISESmppKz
– Top boxing (@trboxing) May 1, 2022
You can understand why Shakur chose to fight at 130, because he has a significant advantage over the people he faces. If Stevenson moves to 135 or 140, his size advantage will be negligible and he will take damage in those weight classes.
Valdez was knocked down in the sixth inning when he was caught by a Shakur shot while rushing in.
Also, no one was injured in the battle. Valdez’s left face was severely red from all the stabs he was hit by Stevenson during the competition.
Related:
Read: Oscar Valdez vs. Shakur Stevenson – LIVE Result
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