Can Shakur Stevenson handle William Zepeda’s firepower?

Shakur Stevenson says he will “better than ever” when he returns to the ring to defend his WBC lightweight title against William Zepeda in February.

New Jersey native Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) has a lot to prove as he hasn’t looked like the same fighter since moving up from the 130-lb division. In two of Shakur’s three fights since moving up to 135, he has looked weak and shy.

Stevenson has shown that he lacks the physical and mental armor to compete against fighters at 135. The many who saw Shakur’s fight against Edwin De Los Santos last year on November 16 saw that he lacked the tools to fight the top contender. fighters at lightweight.

Is 135 all wrong for Stevenson?

If Shakur is obliterated by #1 William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs) on February 22nd, he will have to decide whether to disconnect from the 135 and call it a lost cause.

If Shakur returns to 130, he can pick up where he left off and dominate this weak division against fighters like Lamont Roach, O’Shaquie Foster, Anthony Cacace and Emanuel Navarrete. Those kinds of fighters are right up Shakur’s alley, and he could dominate against them for many years.

What is clear to all is that Shakur is lacking in these areas:

• Force: The lack of power was evident in Shakur’s fights against Edwin De Los Santos and Artem Harutyunyan.
• Bravery under fire: Shakur has been reluctant to stand in the pocket since moving up to lightweight. When Shakur fought at 126 and 130, he had no trouble standing his ground, looking to trade with his opposition. At 135, he can’t do that because he’s afraid of getting clipped by the more powerful punchers in this weight class.
• Bone Structure: Shakur’s hands haven’t stopped since moving up to 135. They broke in his fight against De Los Santos and prevented him from getting through training camp for his canceled fight against Joe Cordina.

Zepeda will face veteran Tevin Farmer (33-6-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round contest in the Latino Night event on November 16th at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This will be a practice fight for Zepeda to prepare him for the mobility that Shakur will use against him next February.

It will be interesting to see how Shakur reacts when Zepeda destroys Farmer, as many expect him to. Will Shakur have second thoughts about facing Zepeda? Although Shakur’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, wants him to fight Zepeda, he doesn’t have to. We can easily get out by telling Hearn that he wants a tuneup against Cordina first, and he will grant him his wish.

Bet what you want, but I’ll be better than ever https://t.co/SDoVjUX79A

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 4, 2024

Come to take the top spot in the road you must go

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) November 4, 2024