WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson says fans should tune in to his fight against Floyd Schofield in Riyadh on February 22 to see “vintage Kur.“
What Shakur (22-0, 10 KO) means by his “vintage” stuff could translate as code for him as he's on his bike, using his hit-and-don't-get-hit style to win a points decision.
Some would say that “vintage” Shakur is an exciting, brawling style that fans could look forward to, but he was NEVER that type of fighter.
Stevenson has had the ancient fossil Mayweather approach to fighting since turning pro from the Olympics. He is like a musician from the 1940s who entered the 21st century through a time warp.
Can Shakur entertain?
It's important to Stevenson that he made it entertaining because this is Turki Alalshikh's card, and there will be plenty of boxing fans lining up for the contest, which will be broadcast live on DAZN.
If Shakur wants to headline some future shows instead of being buried on the undercard like he is with the February 22 card, he needs to stay in the pocket and trade with the 22-year-old Schofield (18-0, 12 KO ). He needs to put his chin on the line to make it fun for the fans if he wants a higher spot on Turki's future cards.
He wants fighters who entertain the fans, and Shakur doesn't meet those standards, or at least he hasn't in the past. It's not too late for Stevenson to turn over a new leaf and become a pocket fighter, but I don't think he can. He has too much rabbit in him.
“Kid Austin is 22 years old. Tommy Hearns fought Ray Leonard at the age of 21 (correction: Thomas 'Hitman' Hearn fought Sugar Ray Leonard for the first time at the age of 22 years and 10 months on September 16, 1981). I'm not getting into that. Manny Pacquiao was champion at 19 and Floyd Mayweather at 21,” said Stephen Edwards for Fighthype when asked if Floyd Schofield is too young at 22 to fight WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson.
“(Mike) Tyson was champion at 20. Muhammad Ali at 22. Salvador Sanchez at 20. I could go down,” Edwards said. “Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad. I think he was champion at 20. Even Canelo and Inoue. They are two of the better guys in this era. They won championships at 20 and 21 years old.”
Stephen does not say that these fighters were much better than Schofield, and that they looked outstanding before they won their first world titles. They didn't fight lower ranked fighters like Schofield. It's something Edwards glosses over, mentioning great fighters of the past who won world titles at an early age.
“Is it a tough fight? That. Will Shakur be the heavy favorite? Yes,” Edwards said at the Stevenson vs. Schofield fight on Feb. 22. “Did Kid Austin struggle in his last fight (against Rene Tellez Girona)? That. I still give him (Kid Austin) credit for taking this fight. Sometimes, you want to take these fights in your physical prime.
“Sometimes youth conquers many things, and they look confident,” Edwards said of Schofield and his dad, Floyd Sr. “Let them fight. I never say that. I never try to stop a guy from wanting to fight. If you think you're good enough, then go out there and fight. Do I think he will win?
“I actually think Shakur is one of the best 10 to 12 fighters on the planet. Shakur is also a special guy. But rough, athletic guys usually give smooth boxers a tough fight. Shawn Porter gave everyone tough fights, and Kid Austin reminds me of him the most. Tim Bradley is in the Hall of Fame. He was tough, athletically built and gave everyone a tough fight,” Edwards said.
Is Shakur overrated?
Stevenson is not one of the best fighters on the planet, not even close. His fighting style is not one of the best in boxing, and it is not fun to watch. He's a defensive guy, and that's about it. To be one of the best fighters in the sport, you have to balance offense and defense.
Shakur is only defensive. It has 95% defense and 5% attack. His narrow win over Edwin De Los Santos last year showed that he is not one of the best fighters on the planet because if he was, he would have dominated him instead of being booed out of the T-Mobile Arena that night in Las Vegas. Edwards got it wrong.
Schofield's previous chances of winning are being aggressive, throwing powerful punches and putting constant pressure on Shakur in every round of the fight. He will have to be good at cutting the ring as Stevenson will be constantly moving, as always, trying not to get hit.
February 22 belt 2 asses make sure you tune in Watch me beat up Kid Austin like he stole something… Vintage Kur back 🦾
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) December 24, 2024