Shakur Stevenson Beats Oscar Valdez Via Decision to Unify Lightweight Titles

Stevenson may be the next big thing in boxing. The rising star used powerful punches and excellent defense to score an unanimous decision victory and unify two of the junior lightweight world titles.

The judges scored the bout 118-109, 118-109, 118-110.

Stevenson showed he has the ability to beat top-tier veterans after his impressive win over Jamel Herring. He established the jab early on, had great timing on counter punches, and was able to counter his opponent's attacks with ease.

The two-division world champion had trouble establishing pressure. There would be no controversy in his first loss.

Stevenson won the Ring Magazine junior lightweight title and proposed to his girlfriend after the match.

Brian Campbell @BCampbell

Shakur Stevenson just proposed to the mother of his daughter during his post-fight interview. She said yes. What a night. #ValdezStevenson

The younger fighter dominated his opponent all night long.

Stevenson had a bigger frame and longer reach. He fired the jab to keep the other from getting close. Stevenson was able to follow up with smart combinations when he really had the jab going. He used it to find the range against Valdez and to get his timing right for counterpunches.

Andreas Hale @AndreasHale

Valdez is chasing Shakur around the ring but not landing much. Shakur gets him to sit still and lands a pair of body shots. Valdez fires a combination and catches air and gloves. 10-9 Stevenson (30-27 Stevenson)

Valdez had to come up with a different way to deal with that jab. Stevenson had little trouble lining up the Mexican early on. In the third round, he brought more side to side movement. He tagged Stevenson with 15 punches, tying for the most punches he had absorbed in a fight. Some of the best punches, including a couple of good body shots, came after Valdez was able to get his front foot outside of the southpaw and fire off his power punches.

Top Rank Boxing @trboxing

.@OscarValdez56 is finding his range 🎯 #ValdezStevenson | LIVE on ESPN https://t.co/HX03UkEMOl

In the sixth round, the movement and aggressive style backfired. Stevenson sent a right hook into the ropes and then tagged him again with a quick uppercut to score a knockdown. He was unhappy with the call, but his swollen face and shaky legs told a different story.

Top Rank Boxing @trboxing

THE FIRST KNOCKDOWN BELONGS TO SHAKUR. https://t.co/EubZKL12Ro

Stevenson had the better tactics by the time of the fight. He was able to score with power shots. At times, the threat of his left hand seemed to paralyze him, as he stayed in a defensive posture and made an easy target. Stevenson used jabs, uppercuts and changing levels in his attacks. He pulled back from the punches of Valdez and caught him off balance with counter shots.

Patrick Connor @PatrickMConnor

Valdez walking into cleaner and cleaner counters. Finally he lands another nice right hand. Back to covering up, however.

Stevenson was in control of the fight. In February of last year, he scored an epic knockout of Miguel Berchelt, who was a heavy favorite. Stevenson made sure he didn't get the same fate. Stevenson had an answer for everything, even though Valdez was able to break through from time to time.

Rosie Perez @rosieperezbklyn

Shakur just knows how to fight. Smart quick and clean with it. #ValdezStevenson @trboxing @espn

Stevenson wants to become the undisputed champion at 130 pounds. Kenichi Ogawa holds the IBF belt, while Roger Gutierrez is the WBA champion. Stevenson seems to be improving with every fight, so it would be hard for either boxer to come up with an answer.