Shakur Stevenson wins impressively at home, lightweight title shot next?

It was “Brick City” star, Shakur Stevenson, (19-0, 9 KOs), in the main event Saturday night against undefeated Shuichiro Yoshino (16-0, 12 KOs). The two undefeated lightweights were meeting in a 12-round WBC lightweight title eliminator at Prudential Center in Stevenson’s hometown of Newark, New Jersey.

Also featured on the card was heavyweight banger Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson who clocks in at a perfect 13-0, 13 KOs. He was facing George Arias (18-0, 7 KOs) in a 10-rounder. 

As well, rising star Keyshawn Davis (7-0, 5 KOs) was going 10 or less against experienced, former title challenger Anthony Yigit (26-3-1, 10 KOs). Plus, undefeated, fast-rising prospect Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington was on the undercard. All in all, some great fights for fight fans.

In pre-fight interviews, it was clear that while Stevenson, considered one of boxing’s premier talents, was giving props to his opponent, he was just the next guy in line to be taken out as he looks to dominate at 135.

“A lot of people are sleeping on Yoshino, but he’s the guy that stepped up to the plate when a few other guys turned the fight down," said Stevenson. “So, I give him all the respect in the world for traveling from Japan to my hometown. He proved himself against Nakatani and Ito, and he deserves the opportunity to fight in a world title eliminator”, he said. “I’m looking to become the top fighter at lightweight. The division is loaded right now, and I’m coming to knock off anyone who’s in my way”.

Main Event - Two-division world champion, and eyeing a lightweight title to make it 3, Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs), stopped Shuichiro Yoshino (16-1, 12 KOs) via TKO 6. The fight was a WBC lightweight title eliminator. Look for Stevenson to try to land a title shot at 135 in his next bout.

Stevenson was simply too good in all areas for his Japanese challenger and was in control throughout until the ref stepped in to stop it. 

With his dominating performance Saturday night, he certainly didn’t do anything to make anyone question his pre-fight confidence. While Stevenson was pleased with his performance, he was already eyeing the next one.

“I wished the ref had let it go on a little longer,” he said. “I was gonna take him out, I was gonna stretch him.

“Tell all those other lightweights to get ready, get finished with the fights they have because then it’s my turn.’

Under Card Action

Jared Anderson TKO 3 George Arias 

Keyshawn Davis TKO 9 Anthony Yigit

Damian Knyba TKO 8 Curtis Harper

Troy Isley UD 8 Roy Barringer

Bruce Carrington KO 2 Brando Chambers

Kelvin Davis UD 6 Nelson Morales

Antoine Cobb D4 Jaylan Phillips