Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs) may not be facing the opponent he initially wanted, but that hasn’t dampened his spirits or his training regimen. On November 16th, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Stevenson will square off against Edwin De Los Santos (16-1, 14 KOs) for the freshly vacated WBC title. While Stevenson had his sights set on big names like Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis, he’s not taking De Los Santos lightly. “It’s a fighter with big power, he’s a southpaw, got good boxing skills, good reflexes but he’s not gonna be able to beat me,” Stevenson confidently stated.
Stevenson’s initial hit list included lightweight division stars like Isaac Cruz, Vasiliy Lomachenko, William Zepeda, and Frank Martin. However, none seemed eager to step into the ring with him. Just when Stevenson’s frustration was about to boil over, De Los Santos stepped up, turning what could have been a letdown into an intriguing matchup. Stevenson has since been studying his opponent's game tape, breaking down his skills and formulating a strategy.
Despite the change in opponents, Stevenson remains focused on proving that he’s a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division. “Sure fights against Haney and Davis were of the utmost importance but the lightweight division had enough big names to placate my desire to face someone worthy of my time,” he said. Now, with the WBC title on the line, Stevenson sees this as an opportunity to solidify his standing and earn the credit he believes he deserves.
The bout promises to be a clash of skill and power, with both fighters having impressive records. De Los Santos, known for his knockout power, will be looking to upset Stevenson, who is renowned for his elusive style and technical prowess. As the fight date approaches, the boxing world is buzzing with anticipation, eager to see if Stevenson can back up his confidence or if De Los Santos will prove that he's more than just a fill-in opponent.
Image Credit: ESPN