Shakur Stevenson, the undefeated three-division world champion, delivered a masterclass performance on Saturday night at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York. Despite being relegated to the co-main event, Stevenson made a resounding statement with a near shutout victory over the offensive-minded William Zepeda.

The Fight Breakdown

Stevenson, known for his defensive prowess, promised to engage more aggressively in this fight. True to his word, he stood toe-to-toe with Zepeda, landing an impressive 52.5% of his punches (295 of 565) over the 12-round bout. Zepeda, while busy, struggled to connect, landing only 27.8% of his punches (272 of 979).

CompuBox Punch Stats

Post-Fight Reactions

"I came in here to prove a point," Stevenson said after the fight. "It wasn't the performance I was looking for because I came in here trying to prove a point, I was trying to fight. So, I took more punishment than usual. But at the end of the day, I told y'all whatever it takes to get the job done."

Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, praised Stevenson on X, stating, "Shakur Stevenson shows he's the real deal with a huge win over William Zepeda."

Main Event Fallout

In the main event, Hamzah Sheeraz delivered a stunning fifth-round TKO victory over Edgar Berlanga, further highlighting the night's surprises. Despite Berlanga's higher profile, Sheeraz's dominant performance underscored the unpredictability of boxing.

Conclusion

Stevenson's victory reaffirms his status as one of the sport's elite fighters. His ability to adapt and dominate, regardless of the circumstances, cements his place in boxing history. The boxing world should take note: Shakur Stevenson is here to stay, and his opponents will need to bring their A-game to even stand a chance.