By: Sean Crose
WBC light-weight titlist Shakur Stevenson shall be dealing with Joe Cordina on the Artur Beterbirev-Dmitry Bivol undisputed gentle heavyweight title card on October twelfth in Saudi Arabia. The 22-0 Stevenson final fought in July when he bested Artem Harutyunyn in his hometown of Newark by way of unanimous resolution. The 17-1 Cordina final noticed motion again in Could when he was stopped by Anthony Cacace in 8. The Stevenson-Cordina bout is scheduled for 12. Saudi Arabia’s boxing guru, Turki Alalshikh, indicated he’s glad to have Stevenson preventing in his homeland. Talking of Stevenson to ESPN, Alalshikh claimed “there’s a giant combat with him sooner or later.”
Whereas it’s true that Stevenson-Cordina isn’t a “massive combat,” the 32 yr previous Cordina is a former world titlist who as soon as held the IBF tremendous featherweight crown. Certainly, Stevenson shall be Crodina’s first opponent for the reason that Welshman misplaced his title to Cacace earlier this yr. Stevenson was imagined to be dealing with rising star William Zepeda, however it appears like that battle could also be subsequent – offered Stevenson will get previous Cordina within the fall. Ought to Cordina pull off the upset, he’ll certainly turn out to be the toast of the game. Stevenson, nevertheless is lauded for being one of many nice abilities of this period.
Sadly for Stevenson, he doesn’t at all times current as essentially the most gratifying of ring warriors. As Boxing Insider wrote after his final outing: “Whereas the 22-0 Stevenson clearly dominated the combat with Harutyunyan, he did not excite, even when he was clearly doing injury to his opponent.” Stevenson even “needed to endure the boos of some in his hometown viewers on his technique to victory. The followers clearly wished extra.” It’s too early to inform if Stevenson will impress or not when he squares off towards Cordina in Saudi Arabia, however the man might merely not be in possession of an exhilarating ring presence.
The Beterbiev-Bivol combat is among the extra anticipated bouts of the yr for hardcore combat followers. Each males are undefeated and dominant. What’s extra, their battle has been a very long time in coming. Briefly, Beterbiev and Bivol are highlighting a card of notice, the form of card that attracts consideration. And there’s nothing mistaken with getting extra consideration in case your identify is Shakur Stevenson – until that focus comes from being crushed by Cordia. But it’s onerous to think about a disciplined skilled resembling Stevenson getting into the ring in Riyadh something lower than 100% ready.
