Shakur Stevenson becomes unified junior lightweight champion after dominating

On May 1, 2022

Stevenson crowned unified junior lightweight champion

Judges score it as a unanimous decision (117-110, 118-109 and 118-110) all in favor of Stevenson, who takes Valdez’s WBC title, adding it to his own WBO hardware behind a dominant boxing masterclass.

Valdez-Stevenson; Round 12

Valdez quickly lunges, trying to throw everything and the kitchen sink. He misses on nearly everything. Stevenson further frustrates him by shuffling around the ring. Too elusive. Ninety seconds remaining. Inside work highlighted by short, crisp output from Stevenson. Moments later, he shoulders Valdez and pierces him with two quick shots. Thirty seconds left. Valdez digs to the body in a last-ditch effort and Stevenson stings back with a right hook. Stevenson dances around the ring and flexes during the waning seconds. Valdez gives chase and comes up empty. What a dominating performance from Shakur Stevenson, who will walk out of Vegas with two titles in tow. (10-9 Stevenson, 118-109 Stevenson)

Valdez-Stevenson; Round 11

Stevenson doesn’t bother with a clinch and cranks up a winding left uppercut. Stevenson stings Valdez with an unanswered three-punch combo to the head, body and head. On the defensive end, he’s making a lunging Valdez miss — almost looking like a matador with a bull in the process. Ref Kenny Bayless warns Stevenson about resting out his jab. Stevenson is up so big that it shouldn’t be a problem to take heed. Stevenson obliging Valdez’s request to fight inside. Perhaps he wants to further the statement he’s making. Unless Valdez lands a knockout shot, this one should be easy to score for judges ringside. (10-9 Stevenson, 108-100 Stevenson)

Valdez-Stevenson; Round 10

Valdez working hard to rally but Stevenson covers up and defends well. How frustrating that must be for Valdez who got inside but couldn’t land anything meaningful. Valdez goes for a wild right hand and misses with Stevenson evading the shot smoothly. Stevenson lands a short left to the temple and then finishes a three-punch combination to the body. Valdez is landing to the body while seeking an equalizer upstairs. The latter attempts, he keeps missing. A much better round for Valdez, however, he’s down on the scorecards so much that he’s going to have to land a devastating shot to have any chance at this point. (10-9 Valdez, 98-91 Stevenson)

Valdez-Stevenson; Round 9

Valdez catches Stevenson in cramped quarters and digs three right hands to the WBO titleholder’s body. He needs more of that kind of output and fast because Valdez is behind on the scorecards. Left to the face lands flush, before Stevenson deposits another shot to Valdez’s body. Valdez is respecting Stevenson’s power more as he’s moving inside with caution. Stevenson potshotting Valdez and landing at will, especially with that left hand, which is connecting upstairs and to the body. Stevenson is pouring it on. (10-9 Stevenson, 89-81 Stevenson)

Valdez-Stevenson; Round 8

Stevenson loose in between rounds, taking heed to game being told to him by his corner. He has been producing a masterclass thus far. Valdez’s warrior grit is being stifled by Stevenson’s…