On Friday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Shakur Stevenson put forth another display of textbook boxing in thoroughly defeating Robson Conceicao over 12 rounds. It was a classy exhibition of 'the Sweet Science' from the talented and precocious southpaw.
The very next day we saw Joe Joyce go back-and-forth with Joseph Parker at the Manchester Arena in the UK, which ended in brutal fashion with 'the Juggernaut' ending things in the 11th round with a left hook. For Joyce, it was another 'slobberknocker' (he leads the league in those) and further cements his status as a heavyweight contender.
Stevenson is everything that Joyce is not and vice-versa. You can appreciate both, but it's really a matter of taste which you enjoy more.
The native of 'Brick City' is one of the most skilled boxers in the sport. Already a two-division champion in less than 20 fights, Stevenson will be one of those guys on pound-for-pound lists for the next decade. His ability to hit-and-not-be-hit is uncanny. Stevenson understands distance and spacing as well as any boxer today.
Mikey Williams for Top Rank
As he showed against Conceicao he has the ability to sit inside the pocket and find safe shelter. While he can hit his opponents with his quick striking punches, his foes often times have problems touching him consistently. In a word, he is stealth. There is a Pernell Whitaker-esque quality to what he does.
He did his best to try and stop Conceicao, after scoring early knockdowns, but the Brazilian was able to weather the storm and heard the last bell. Stevenson has just about everything you want, except real power (just 9 stoppages in 19 victories). He wont bludgeon you, but he will box your ears off.
It will be interesting to see how he fares now as a lightweight after relinquishing his belts at the scales this past weekend. But keep this in mind, he's just 25 year old, his best boxing is probably still in front of him. It's going to take a really good fighter on a great night to beat him.
Top Rank
Joyce is anything but a stylist. It's probably an exaggeration to call his latest war the modern day version of George Foreman-Ron Lyle, but it is one of the better heavyweight slugfests of the past decade. There was nothing sweet about this affair, this was simplistic brutality. At times they just took turns clubbing one another, and finally it was Parker who succumbed at the end.
Joe Joyce Obliterates Parker With A Brutal 11th Round Knockout | FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
This is what I wrote about Joyce this summer after his fourth round KO of Christian Hammer:
"He's slow, plodding, more mechanical and stiff than 'Giant Robot' and gets hit with everything -- including the kitchen sink."
All of that still applies, for as difficult as it is to touch Stevenson, it's just as easy to tag Joyce. But while he seems 'easy' to beat, it says here that it will still take a big man with an incredible set of guts to withstand the constant onslaught and pressure he brings. Joyce is certainly a technically flawed fighter, but one that is steadfast in his approach.
Like Jason Voorhees, he just keeps coming back for more.
BT Sports
When Joyce fights, you want to be watching it because inevitably a good fight will break out. And at age 37 this is who he is. There is no changing or altering his styles. And from a viewership standpoint, why would you want that? Joyce is perfectly imperfect. He has become must-see TV.
If you want artistry, there's Stevenson. You want pure entertainment, there's Joyce.
PROSPECTS
Some blue-chip prospects were on display on the Stevenson undercard. Keyshawn Davis moved to 6-0(5 KOs) as he scored a fifth round stoppage of Omar Tienda. There's no denying the talent of the 23 year old Davis. It's clear that his brain trust and Top Rank will move him quickly.
The question is just how quickly?
Mikey Williams, Top Rank
This was just his second outing of 2022 as Davis has been beset by some physical ailments that have derailed his progress. There's no denying his amateur pedigree and natural talent, but the fact of the matter is that he's only had 25 rounds as a professional.
He probably needs at least a few more bouts, but you get the sense that in the second half of 2023 that he could be fighting for a lightweight title. But if he had it his way, Davis would do it immediately.
Keyshawn Davis Wants All The Smoke at 135 After Knockout Victory of Tienda
Another prospect I've been very high on is featherweight Bruce 'Shu Shu' Carrington, who improved to 5-0(3 KOs) on Friday Night. He out-pointed the tough Jose Argel. Carrington, who hails from Brooklyn, is a sharp boxer, one that has natural counter-punching skills, and high boxing IQ. The 25 year old Carrington looks like another guy who wont need that many more fights before he's matched with the divisions best.
But I was informed that he injured his thumb in this fight, which will sideline him for awhile.
FINAL FLURRIES
Gennadiy Golovkin has been ordered by the WBA to defend his middleweight title against Erislandy Lara. It will be interesting to see if this actually comes to fruition....Speaking of Stevenson, his bout drew over 10,000 paying customers to the Prudential Center. So it's clear he's becoming a local attraction....IBF featherweigtht titlist, Josh Warrington will defend his belt against Luis Alberto Lopez on Dec. 10 in Leeds....Yes, I'm still in shock over Miami getting beat by Middle Tennessee State...How 'bout those Kansas (football) Jayhawks and Jalon Daniels?....I can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com....
