Preview: Jamel Herring vs. Shakur Stevenson

Particulars: WBC world champion Jamel ’Semper Fi’ Herring vs. Shakur ’Fearless’ Stevenson at State Farm Arena, Atlanta, broadcast on ESPN. 

Relative youth vs. experience. Throw in a heaping helping of talent and determination, interesting personalities, and in Herring’s case, a patriotic backstory, and we should have one helluva scrap. 

At 21, Stevenson caught a misdemeanor assault in Florida but did community service. The charges were dropped. Stay on the straight and narrow going forward, young dude! We get all the young person drama we need from say, Ryan Garcia – and others.

Herring is a Marine vet with tours of duty in Iraq and has received awards for that service. He owns a signature stoppage of Carl Frampton.

This is a good fight! Two talented southpaws with great fundamentals and in Stevenson’s case, an exceptional ability to judge distance. This knack is countered by Herring’s better reach and far better resume. Then again, Herring will be 36 in a week - so the clock is ticking.

The other very considerable blemishes on Herring’s CV are his two losses, one to Ladarius Miller, where he looked poor, and of course his TKO loss to Denis Shafikov. You watch Herring fight and you say, "quality boxer,” and ‘wow,’ but the loss to Shafikov causes many to say, with justification, “not so fast.”

Concerning Stevenson, insiders say ‘faster.’ Stevenson is well behind - at least compared to eras as recent as the early 2000s, for a 24-year-old prodigy, if he is one. He is trained by his grandfather and promoted by Top Rank. Uncle Bob Arum needs to get the lead out and get this young dude fighting frequently.

Shakur - in light of Covid and the horrible machinery of the boxing business, could very quickly become the next Gervonta Davis. A talented, very confident fighter - but who becomes as well known for getting “that smoke” on social media - instead of in the ring.

Herring at this stage of his career is mainly focused on making the long dough, and in my view, deserves it. I hope he makes a lot of money. No matter how difficult the Marines are, in most circumstances, boxing is tougher. And, outside of combat, more dangerous.  

If you’re in Vegas and like to gamble, challenger Stevenson is the favorite.

Fighter’s Grades: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

Shakur Stevenson: B+ B- B+ B- B B B- Total: B (3.0)

Jamel Herring: B B- B- B+ C+ B- B+ Total: B- (2.9)

Reality Check: 

The smart money says, Stevenson. Without insights into the camps which this time, I don’t have, it’s very hard to dissent. Stevenson’s making a big step up which makes this fight special. Stevenson said at his age, he feels that he has a better command of distance than the 24-year-old Mayweather Jr. Shakur says he’s ‘mastered’ distance. Stevenson hinted that Mayweather was a bit faster. 

Herring is bigger. He also has been matched far deeper. He’s tough-nosed and serious and seems like a great, well-adjusted guy. I’m also struck by his innate ability to judge distance but give Shakur the slight edge.  

Three factors point to Stevenson, odds (including London bookmakers, the best) and promotional wind behind Stevenson which means “if it’s close, the decision goes to the young dude with the muscle behind him.” For me, the fact that Herring twice inexplicably lost attention - and paid dearly. In boxing, there are no “bad days” allowed. You don’t lose concentration. 

Fight and decision: This bout should be a good one! I see a close fight and feel daring. True, the intangibles say ‘Stevenson,’ but what the hell, I’ll say at the end of 12 - the two have fought to a legitimate draw.

Shakur Stevenson-Jamel Herring Draw, 12.