Shakur Stevenson kept his perfect record intact with a dominant win over William Zepeda. The WBC lightweight champion secured a unanimous decision victory at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
Stevenson, hailing from Newark, controlled the fight from start to finish. The judges' scorecards reflected his dominance, reading 118-110, 118-110, and 119-109 in his favor. This marked the third successful defense of his WBC lightweight title, which he won back in November 2023.
The undefeated champion showcased his trademark mix of defense and calculated attacks. But this time, Stevenson fought more aggressively than usual. He aimed to silence critics who labeled him as too defensive.
"It wasn't the performance I was looking for. I went into the ring with the intention of proving a point, to fight more aggressively, and that's why I took more punishment than usual."
Despite taking more hits, Stevenson's technique and precision neutralized Zepeda's power. The Mexican challenger, known for his high-volume punching style and impressive 82% knockout rate in 33 fights, couldn't find a way through Stevenson's defense.
Former interim champion Ryan Garcia took to social media to criticize the fight. He said:
"Shakur didn't run this time, but he didn't fight someone with real power either."
Stevenson responded to the criticism, stating:
"My best version has not yet arrived."
With this win, Stevenson solidifies his position as one of the most solid undefeated champions in boxing. Fans and experts alike are eager to see him face off against other top lightweights like Gervonta Davis, Vasiliy Lomachenko, Devin Haney, or Ryan Garcia.
Stevenson's goal is clear - he wants to face the best opponents. As he continues to dominate, the boxing world might be witnessing something truly special unfold in the lightweight division.
