Shakur Stevenson dominates Jamel Herring, wins WBO super featherweight title

In the end, superior talent usually makes the difference.

Talented Shakur Stevenson captured the WBO super featherweight world title by stopping game Jamel Herring in round 10 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA, Saturday night.

Time was 1:30.

In the opening round, both southpaws fired numerous jabs. Stevenson,24, went to the body. He also landed a sharp left to the chin. Herring,35, bobbed and such, but Stevenson’s speed had him wary. Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) fired more sharp jabs in round two. A number of them landed. He followed with a combination that bothered Herring. Stevenson was walking forward and punching. Herring had no answer.

Stevenson continued to get off first in round three - connecting with a five-punch combination. Herring (23-3, 11 KOs) fought back, but another combination wobbled him.

Herring, with swelling around his left eye, inched forward in round four. The thinking was he’d have to rough Stevenson up to win. Stevenson let fly with a one-two (southpaw style. Herring fired long right jabs. Stevenson connected with a right to the chin near the end of the heat. Herring tried to do more in round five, but Stevenson was undeterred. Several slashing blows connected.

In round six, Herring was more aggressive. He jabbed and ran into a shot but took it well. Stevenson cracked Herring with a right hook. He did it again seconds later. It had to be getting monotonous for Herring.

Stevenson calmly went back to work in round seven. He worked downstairs. He moved his attack to the head. Stevenson fired rights and lefts. Plus, an uppercut. Stevenson was dominating. In round eight, Stevenson fired jab after jab. He was putting on a clinic, mixing up his blows. Herring walked in and went to the body and head. Stevenson knocked Herring’s head back with an uppercut in round nine. A follow-up combination also landed. Herring jabbed but caught a hook. Herring went back to his corner with a cut over his right eye.

Seconds into the 10th round, the ringside doctor inspected Herring’s cut. The action continued. Stevenson landed a half dozen headshots until referee Mark Nelson stepped in and waved the fight off.

Undercard results:

Impressive prospect Xander Zayas (11-0, 8 KOs) hit Dan Karpency with everything but the kitchen sink for four rounds. After the fourth stanza, Karpency’s corner said enough is enough. Zayas, 19, is sharp, quick, and accurate. His next fight will likely be an eight-rounder.

Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali, scored a third-round TKO over James Westley. Ali ate a few right hands but came back to floor Westley in

rounds two and three. His equalizer? The right hand. Ali Walsh (2-0, 2 KOs) hopes to fight again soon.

Junior middleweight Evan Holyfield (8-0, 6 KOs), son of former heavyweight champion Evander, only needed a little over three minutes to starch Charles Stanford (6-4, 3 KOs). A left-right combo did the trick.

Troy Isley improved to 3-0 as a professional by knocking out Nicholi Navarro (2-2, 2 KOs) in the first round.

Eric Palmer (13-14-5, 1 KO) outworked local fighter Roddricus Livsey (8-1-1, 5 KOs) over six rounds to win by split decision. The scores were 58-56, 58-56 Palmer, and a ridiculous 59-55 for Livsey. Home cooking will never die.

Haven Brady Jr. won all four rounds against Roberto Negrete (3-1, 1 KO). Brady is now 4-0.

Antione Cobb (1-0, 1 KO) needed just 58 seconds to knock Jerrion Campbell (2-2, 0 KOs) into tomorrow land. A perfect counter right hand did the trick.

Lightweight Harley Mederos (2-0, 1 KO) overpowered Deljerro Revello (0-2) over four rounds to win by unanimous decision.