By: Hans Themistode
Claressa Shields was both delighted and stunned when the initial news broke.
As first reported by Dan Rafael, formerly of ESPN, WBO lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and WBC title-winning tennis player Oscar Valdez – are set to agree on terms for a unified match on the 30th. April, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In theory, Valdez would certainly be the best and best boxer Stevenson has ever faced in his young career. Yet despite his sublime performance, former track and field athlete Claressa Shields believes that once the bell rings, Stevenson will prove he’s simply on another level.
“I won Shakur,” Shields said recently in an interview with FightHype.com. “I tried Shakur a little bit but I think Shakur will knock out Oscar Valdez and by the seventh round it will be a knockout. Ability to pay bills. ”
While Valdez has enjoyed considerable success throughout his career so far, in 2021 he has taken both his game and his star power to another level.
After dominating the rather dominant title at 126 pounds, Valdez struggled a lot when he chose to test the featherweight super-waters. With two shaky performances against Adam Lopez and Jayson Velez, Lopez found herself a giant underdog against Miguel Berchelt.
However, despite the opinion of the betting public, Valdez easily took down the Mexican star, scoring three knocks the night before brutally stripping Berchelt of the WBC crown in the 10th inning. , Valdez successfully defended his newly won jewelry, controversially, against Robson Conceicao.
Although Valdez may have cemented his place as one of the world’s best 130-pound athletes, Stevenson has planted the flag firmly by his side.
The Olympic silver medalist toyed with fringe contender Jeremia Nakathila, winning every round of their June 12 game. Four months later, Stevenson released the waste to former marine student Jamel Herring.
Even as he was cheered by a crowd of Herring supporters, Stevenson ignored the noise and easily beat his man before scoring the winning goal in the 10th inning. In the process, Stevenson succeeded in wrapping the title of second division around his waist.
With both 130-pound athletes peaking in their respective stellar years, and with the pair said to be head and shoulders above the rest, Shields was nervous to watch them lock horns in the middle. ring.
Finally, while the last two-time Olympic gold medalist respects Valdez and has a huge appreciation for his overall skill, she insists that once the bell rings, Valdez will take a hit. like none other.
“I think Shakur is going to beat Oscar Valdez pretty badly.”
