Cuban Herrera Cores is a new option as a substitute opponent for WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson to fight in Riyadh this Saturday, February 22. Stevenson’s management needs a replacement after his original opponent, Floyd Schofield, was pulled out with a disease. Jadier Herrera, 22, has the talent to beat Shakur.
(Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
The prospects
Ariel Helwani reports The #14 WBC has the lightweight contender Jadier Herrera and Josh Padley The two options are considered for Shakur’s fight against Artur Betterbiev against Dmitri Biscvol 2 card on the Kingdom Arena. Padley (15-0, 4 COs) is not nearly as talented as the Southpaw Herrera, but he is British and comes with a big win over Mark Chamberlain.
Herrera is a better fighter than Schofield, and he is much more dangerous because of his power, technical skills and Southpaw attitude. If Shakur’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, doesn’t mind being knocked out by Jadier Herrera, it’s an excellent substitute option and a big upgrade on Floyd Schofield. The Cuban has a sneaking force in his left hand. The way he releases it reminds me of the super -mid -weight Osley Iglesias. If Herrera hit Shakur with the left, they will raise him from the cloth with a spatula.
Shakur will have a built -in excuse if he loses against Jadier Herrera. He can blame it to take the battle on three days of notice and have not prepared for a Southpaw with one -time power.
Hearn has 2020 Olympic gold medal Andy Cruz, Who he could also use as a substitute. Cruz is equally talented like Shakur, but with more power and a more entertaining style. He is another one who would have an excellent chance of beating Shakur. This amounts to whether Hearn believes in Shakur enough to allow him to fight against Jadier or Andy Cruz, because both would have a good chance of beating him.
“I understand that Shakur wants to keep on the map, but I don’t know of anyone who can come in and be in shape on three days,” says Ade Oladipo on Ariel Helwani’s Youtube Channel, talk about Shakur Stevenson who needs a replacement opponent after Floyd Schofield pulled out.
‘Three days for everyone to fight against Shakur Stevenson, who is in shape, will be a crazy mismatch. I love Josh Padley. I hope he gets the opportunity. He came in and upset Mark Chamberlain on the (September 21) Wembley (stage) card. But at what weight is he walking around now?
“Josh Padley is a lightweight. These guys normally walk around 170 and cut to that weight. I don’t know where he is now. I am surprised that he (Joe Cordina) did not get a call here. I don’t know if he would have fought. ‘
Last updated on 02/19/2025
