Stevenson Gets Fourth Round TKO Win Over Rosales

By Marc Livitz: Up and coming featherweight prospect Shakur Stevenson continued his impressive path towards an eventual world title shot in Friday night’s co-main event at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York with a punishing fourth round technical knockout win over Jessie Cris Rosales.

The fighters used much of the opening moments of the first to try to get past their contrasting stances, as southpaw Stevenson (10-0, 6 KO’s) began to visibly frustrate the orthodox Rosales. It didn’t take long, however to see just how much further along Shakur was from his Filipino opponent. The 2016 silver medalist from Newark vastly outlanded him throughout rounds one as well as two in addition to connecting almost at will to his head. Although Jessie was able to catch Stevenson once or twice with rights to the body, he returned to his corner with a reddened face, thanks in large part to Shakur’s well placed combinations of up to four punches in succession.

Rosales (22-2-1, 10 KO’s) continued to go for the midsection in the third, which allowed Stevenson to essentially tee off at his face by way of overhand rights and left uppercuts. Shakur continued to impose his will and superior strength throughout the fourth until a left hook was followed by a short, straight left which caught Jessie flush on the chin. Rosales gathered himself and just beat the count, yet referee Charlie Fitch could see that he’d had enough. The bout was stopped at the 1:29 mark of round four to award the TKO win to Shakur Stevenson.

“I wanted to show everyone that I can fight as well as box, that I’m a fighter, too,” said the victorious Stevenson. “I know I’m ready for a world title right now, but at the same time, I’m going to listen to my promoter and follow their lead. But I know I want Josh Warrington. I want to go over to England and fight in front of the English crowd.”

Additional Results from Verona

Jason Sosa UD 10 Moises Delgadillo - Super Featherweight

Robson Conceicao UD 8 Hector Suarez. - Super Featherweight

Carlos Adames KO 3 Juan Ruiz - Junior Middleweight

Visas Krishan TKO 2 Steven Andrade - Junior Middleweight