By Jeff Calfa: Shakur Stevenson, without a belt, will take on Robson Conceicao tonight in the main event on ESPN at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
On Thursday, Stevenson (18-0, 9 KOs) missed the weight by weighing in at 131.6 pounds, costing him his WBC and WBO super featherweight titles.
Many boxing fans believe that Stevenson never intended to make weight, having planned to move up to 135 after the fight anyway. With Conceicao’s size and toughness advantage, some feel Stevenson wanted to make sure he didn’t shrink to the 130-pound limit.
The Brazilian Conceicao defeated Vasyl Lomachenko in the amateur categories, which shows his talent. In 2016, Conceicao captured an Olympic gold medalist.
As a pro, the only loss on Conceicao’s record is a controversial 12-round decision against Oscar Valdez last September. Conceicao felt that he won the fight, as did many other people.
If Stevenson loses tonight, a rematch with Conceicao is very likely, and that will delay his move to 135.
“You never know what the toughest fight is. You can go there, and they’re talking about Tank and Devin being the toughest fight because that’s how I would look at it,” Shakur Stevenson told DAZN Boxing Show when asked who the toughest fight was for him at 135.
“I am getting older and wiser now. What if I go in there and find out they’re not that tough, and then I fight Lomachenko, and he gives me everything he can fight? You never know who your toughest opponent is until you get in the ring with him.
“Anybody who can go to the Olympics and win an Olympic gold medal, it’s one of the hardest things to do in life. You have to respect it. I’m not looking past him.
“I know he is a great fighter, and he has great things to do. He goes against me, and I’m going to hit him.
“I think Lomachenko and I should be pay-per-view. That’s a great, great fight; especially, I’m going to show up and sell it. But we cannot ignore Conceicao. I will make sure to sell that fight.
“I am a superstar. I am so sure that the world is falling in love with me for becoming such a superstar in the sport of boxing. I’m waiting and letting it all take care of itself.
