By Ian S Palmer
The vacant WBO World Featherweight Title is on the line in Reno, Nevada this Saturday, October 26th as unbeaten Shakur Stevenson of Newark, New Jersey takes on undefeated Joet Gonzalez of Glendora, California. Stevenson last fought in July when he stopped Alberto Guevara in the third round. Gonzalez last saw action in July also when he stopped Manuel Avila in the sixth round for the vacant WBA Continental, and WBO Global Featherweight Belts. The 12-round bout can be seen live in America on ESPN+ this Saturday.
The 22-year-old Stevenson enters the contest at 12-0 with 7 Kos. He had an excellent amateur career as he won a USA Junior National Championship and World Junior Championship in 2013. The next year he captured the USA Youth National, Youth Olympic Games and World Youth Championships. He won the USA Youth National Title in 2015 as well as the Olympic trials and qualifiers. He then fought at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and won the silver medal.
Since turning pro in 2017 he’s boxed 53 rounds and won the IBF Inter-Continental, WBC Continental Americas, and WBO NABO Featherweight Titles. Stevenson stands 5-feet-8-inches tall and has a 68-inch reach. He’s not known as a KO artist but has a decent knockout percentage of 58/3 per cent. He possesses fine boxing skills and speed and has plenty of potential. Along with beating Guevara, Stevenson’s also beaten the likes of Christopher Diaz, Jesse Cris Rosales and Juan Tapia.
As for Gonzalez, he’s 26 years old and has a perfect record of 23-0 with 14 Kos. He’s 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 70-inch reach which gives him a two-inch height disadvantage but a two-inch reach edge on Stevenson. Gonzalez made his pro debut in 2012 and has 107 rounds of experience. He also has pretty good power with a current knockout ratio of 60.1 per cent. Since turning pro he’s also captured the WBO NABO Featherweight Belt. His biggest wins have been against Rafael Rivera, Rodrigo Guerrero, Derrick Murray and Jose Miguel Tamayo.
Gonzalez has a fine jab and combines it with good footwork while keeping his guard high for fine defence. Gonzalez said there’s a bit of bad blood between himself and Stevenson as he says Stevenson has spoken about Gonzalez’s family and sister in public and it doesn’t sit too well with him. There’s even rumours that Stevenson had dated Gonzalez’s sister so this could be something of a grudge match.
Prediction…
Stevenson is well known due to his fantastic amateur exploits and he’s also looked impressive since turning pro. Gonzalez should be his stiffest test to date and is very determined to win this fight. It should be quite entertaining and a close battle but I think Stevenson has the edge in speed and overall boxing skills.
