By: Hans Themistode
Shakur Stevenson went to great lengths to poke fun, upset, and irritate Oscar Valdez.
The 24-year-old from New Jersey has been eyeing the match against Valdez since both men competed at 126 pounds. At one point, Stevenson rose to number one in the WBO group to challenge Valdez for the crown.
Despite being promoted, Valdez chose to give up his featherweight title to face then-WBC 130-pound champion Miguel Berchelt. Along the way, Stevenson repeatedly chastised Valdez and urged the Mexican star to step into the ring with him.
Even now, with both men officially agreeing to go head to head on April 30, at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada, Stevenson’s trash talk hasn’t subsided. When given the opportunity to scream and shout in the direction of the former Olympic silver medalist, Valdez merely refused. While the Mexican product respects everything Stevenson has achieved inside the ring, he is not enthralled by his boxing prowess. In fact, Valdez believes Stevenson’s skills fall far short of what he’s actually best at.
“We know Shakur Stevenson is very good at fighting,” Valdez said recently. “But he is even better on social media. I’ll let my fists speak for themselves. “
Following Berchelt’s brutal act to claim his WBC crown, Valdez went on to defend the aforementioned title against Robson Conceicao, delivering a close but controversial unanimous decision.
Stevenson, on the other hand, cut short the world title reign of former Marine Jamel Herring. Stevenson proved he was more than just a boxer, scoring and causing considerable damage before referee Mark Nelson was forced to intervene.
In the minds of many, Stevenson is the perfect man. He is rarely outboxed and is slowly developing into his male body. However, regardless of the superlative words commonly used to describe him, Valdez has an agenda that will arrive on April 30.
“I want to make it clear that I’m the best 130-pound boxer in the world.”
