No crying here. Just pointing out that “he wanted to unify the division” as a reason to fight Plant, Saunders, etc was bs. The opportunity to unify at 160 was there. Just kind of weird how he didn’t want to unify there considering Andrades style poses a challenge based on what we seen vs a similar style with Lara and Floyd earlier in his career.
Shakur definitely let them know that he beat the whole team. lol. I thought he was gonna have trouble getting out of the area after making that statement.
Pressure fighter that is same size as him. Stevenson is a big 130 lb fighter. Just look at his frame next to Crawford.
1 - Like all southpaws he's open for the right hand, even more so than most with his defensive style. Even Valdez showed that but he's so short that he had to drag his rear foot forward every time he threw the right hand to create extra distance on the punch. But that left him squared up and so easy to clinch and push off. A taller fighter with a good right hand could give Stevenson issues, because it seemed at times Valdez couldn't miss with the right hand. If Valdez had been smarter he would of used that quick right lead to distract or move Stevenson into position for a harder second punch. 2 - Dictate where the fight is fought. Valdez rarely had Shakur on the ropes, the fight was fought for the most part in the center of the ring where Shakur had the space to work and move away when required. Stevenson is a reactive defensive fighter, meaning he doesn't block shots with his guard he moves his head or uses his feet to move away when attacked. So you can use the jab and feints to make him move, so you need to be patient, not engage in the center, stay tight defensive and use the jab and feints to back him up and only when on the ropes, do you then open up, because that's the only time an opponent can exchange with him and have the advantage. This is what Tarver did to get the elusive RJJ onto the ropes so much. 3 - Lead hand control is vital against Stevenson as it's a big part of his strategy to control distance. As many have criticised him for he stiff arms a lot, that's not the only technique he uses but in general he often extends his arms out against on rushing opponents to control there head, framing or posting to maintain distance. Valdez never tried to really take away Shakur's lead hand apart from that one time he pulled on it. You need to know how to control that lead hand, a common Wlad technique is to pull on the extended lead hand and land a right over it, something Valdez should have done but he never figured it out. Your never going to out jab Stevenson so just use the lead hand to take away his jab instead and that should allow an opponent to get inside more. That an counter the jab of Stevenson with lefts to the body and head, something Valdez never tried. 4 - Don't square up, when at mid range, because it makes it easier for Stevenson to push an opponent off or clinch them. It's much harder to push off or clinch an opponent when in a bladed stance, using the shoulder and forearm to create distance when they do try to clinch. 5 - When you are finally inside and on the ropes I think what Maidana did vs Mayweather would work. Pin the lead hand to the body with your head or shoulder, come over the top with an arcing over hand hook to force the shoulder roll from Stevenson putting him into a defensive position when he can't lean any further back and then throw the right hand which will be especially effective against the southpaw stance of Stevenson. You got to be rough on the inside and also know how to fight in the clinch, something many fighters these days do not know how to do. You have to tie Stevenson up on the inside, control him, manipulate his guard and position otherwise he'll do that to his opponent and totally take away any chance of success inside.
Middleweight isn`t that good right now, Bivol is better than any middleweight in the world, Bivol would toy with Charlo or Andrade.
You must not have seen his last two fights eh? But to answer the original question: As an elite boxer, he has the same Achilles heel that all elite boxers have, if you put him up against a mauler that cuts the ring off and throws volumes, that's the best chance at beating him. That or he eventually goes up to high in weight and is outsized.
Maybe he would and maybe he would toy with Canelo as well, we shall find out next week. However as night follows day the one thing we do know is lowercase g would never face Bivol because he is to big and to good.
Please. I can already see the crying about how Loma was too small. Lol. Stevenson wins this one and that's not wishful thinking.
Do you honestly believe that Stevenson would be around to get jabbed twice? Also, it was hilarious watching Valdez try to feint and SS having zero reaction. He knew that he was safe. Fighters like him and Mayweather can't be out thought in the ring. You have to be very rough and have a referee that will allow it.
Just like the crying about Rigo being too small for Loma? Please. You're already assuming Stevenson wins against Loma easily, THAT is wishful thinking.
