Shakur Stevenson Decisions Tapia; Critics Welcome?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Shakur Stevenson made a conscious decision before his fight Friday night to box the way that best suits him.

The 2016 Olympic silver medalist admits he previously was too concerned about criticism of his tactical approach in the ring. Stevenson still is a work in progress, but the undefeated featherweight prospect’s smart, patient approach paid off throughout the skillful southpaw’s easy eight-round victory over Juan Tapia in Reno, Nevada.

The Newark, New Jersey, native worked well off his jab, consistently went to Tapia’s body and mostly defended himself well while out-pointing Tapia in the first eight-rounder of Stevenson’s 10-month pro career. The 20-year-old Stevenson (5-0, 2 KOs) won a unanimous decision as he won every round against Tapia (8-2, 3 KOs) on all three scorecards (80-72, 80-72, 80-72).

[Ruthless-RKO]

How are we rating him so far?

Would he have been better off with Mayweather?

Does his style of boxing appeal to you?

How do you see his progression?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Some tweets after his win.. Some people aren't impressed.. Might feel he should be knocking guys out? I don't think so.. He's going to be a technically sound boxer IMO.. An Andre Ward.. After all, I think Ward is managing him.

Some tweets:

Shakur Stevenson is a technically sound boxer, but I still see a lack of real physical strength with him. Its why I think Top Rank doesnt move him that quickly #boxing
— Stream Kim (@steveucnlive) February 17, 2018

Shakur Stevenson talented, no doubt, but the “Ah, ah, ah!””sound effects get a tad irritating after a while.
— Graham Houston (@fightwriterone) February 17, 2018

He hasn’t fought anyone. Still not impressed.
— Flex Luger (@19delta4life) February 17, 2018

@ShakurStevenson do you think you hit harder than Marlen Esparza? I think you grunt louder but not sure about the power
— ray sanchez (@realraysanchez) February 17, 2018

You needed to knock that bum out to prove you’re something. All you proved is; You can’t crack an egg.
— Kenny Robinson (@kennyrob_The2nd) February 17, 2018

kid needs to learn how to throw with his body to create power. Arm throwing bunny shots aren’t gonna get him very far when he gets to better competition.
— Frank Finkral (@FFinkral) February 17, 2018

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I think some are a tad bit harsh.. He's still young.

[Mexi-Box]

Tweets are hilarious and warranted. When a fighter is shoved down our throats, there is always backlash. Not impressed with Stevenson at all. I think he's going to end up as a high-level gatekeeper.

[TheBeast]

Shakur Stevenson 4 0 0
vs
Juan Tapia 8 1 0



Shakur won by UD






I think it depends what you are looking for as a fan. The guy can clearly box real well but i doubt he becomes a KO artist. Like Andre Ward who he seems to want to emulate, they are smart at doing the most of what they have when forging their style and effective game.


FULL CARD HIGHLIGHTS HERE:
http://www.the13thround.com/phpBB2/view ... 5&t=126552


ENJOY!!

[gilgamesh]

Not a lot to go off or critique from last nights performance. I assume it was his first 8 rounder? He went rounds and got some experience. Not much else to take from that particular performance.

[East End]

Tapia came to fight but wasn't in Shak's league. Stevenson boxed well within himself and he may have gotten a bit of a talking to from hard bargain Bob just to remind him that he will need to bring more excitement as he moves up the card. From what I have seen, I actually think the talent is there. Fair enough, the jury is still out but give the man a chance for chrissakes

[gilgamesh]

Tapia came to fight but wasn't in Shak's league. Stevenson boxed well within himself and he may have gotten a bit of a talking to from hard bargain Bob just to remind him that he will need to bring more excitement as he moves up the card. From what I have seen, I actually think the talent is there. Fair enough, the jury is still out but give the man a chance for chrissakes

Yep it's stupid to either praise a guy to the moon or sh*t on him as a guy that's never gonna make it at this stage in his career. He still has a long way to go before we know for sure what the story of his career is gonna be. He's just in the developmental stage for now so people should definitely hold off their judgments until we see him against better opposition.

[siablo14]

Tweets are hilarious and warranted. When a fighter is shoved down our throats, there is always backlash. Not impressed with Stevenson at all. I think he's going to end up as a high-level gatekeeper.

I am getting that vibe too.

[Best Coast]

After 10 months and 5 pro bouts its really hard to get a gauge on how good a prospect is going to be. He's got good speed and a flashy style. His progress has been slow so far but given Arum's high-level skill at working his prospects toward a world title shot I'm convinced Top Rank will get him a shot somewhere in the next 3-4 years (if not sooner).

There is always a weak world champ who is ripe for the taking and Arum is an EXPERT at finding guys like that (or better yet a vacant title bout against some paper contender with good numbers). A great example is Top Rank featherweight Stevie Luevano, a former amateur star who narrowly missed the 2000 Olympics. Arum brought him along very slowly and he didnt get a world title shot until he had 30+ pro bouts and he won the vacant WBO FW belt over Nicky Cook. Luevano had a decent run of 5 defenses before he got stopped by then-unbeaten rising star Juanma Lopez.

In my mind Stevenson will be at least as good as Luevano was and probably more successful. For me the question is not if he gets a world title shot but WHEN. My guess is he'll need about 18-20 pro bouts under Arum's tried & true strategy for getting a world title bout!!

[jewboypgh]

So I seen Stevenson and Conlan which are Arums future cash cows. arums brilliant, so he knows something. I ain’t really impressed but I only seen 1 of their fights. it’s early but Stevenson looks like the slicker boxer. Kid is patient. Conlin has power but he’s reckless looking. I think this little Ukraine Pitbull kid fighting outta Pittsburgh named Dovhun would give either a run for their money. Not sure about weights though. I think Dovhun is a 122. Even an old shop worn Leo Santa Cruz would take it to them 2 arum prospects

[Best Coast]

So I seen Stevenson and Conlan which are Arums future cash cows. arums brilliant, so he knows something. I ain’t really impressed but I only seen 1 of their fights. it’s early but Stevenson looks like the slicker boxer. Kid is patient. Conlin has power but he’s reckless looking. I think this little Ukraine Pitbull kid fighting outta Pittsburgh named Dovhun would give either a run for their money. Not sure about weights though. I think Dovhun is a 122. Even an old shop worn Leo Santa Cruz would take it to them 2 arum prospects

I saw something about Dovhun the other day. Do you know his amateur credentials from Ukraine?

BTW...I've always enjoyed your name because I grew up in Pgh and lived their until age 16.

[jewboypgh]

I don’t know the Ukraine Pitbull amateur record but my grandson been to his gym and knows his trainer Michael McSorley. I think he told him Dovhun had like 350 amateur fights. It shows. But don’t get me wrong, this kid ain’t all grace, he’s nasty in there. Pushes heads down, seems like the refs are warning him. He’s a dirty little sob. Bleeds a lot too but you see that with southpaws and that head clashin. I can’t tell if he’s Little next to Stevenson or not but Stevenson looks tall and lean on tv.

Where you from in the Burgh?

[Best Coast]

I don’t know the Ukraine Pitbull amateur record but my grandson been to his gym and knows his trainer Michael McSorley. I think he told him Dovhun had like 350 amateur fights. It shows. But don’t get me wrong, this kid ain’t all grace, he’s nasty in there. Pushes heads down, seems like the refs are warning him. He’s a dirty little sob. Bleeds a lot too but you see that with southpaws and that head clashin. I can’t tell if he’s Little next to Stevenson or not but Stevenson looks tall and lean on tv.

Where you from in the Burgh?

I grew up in South Hills and went to Baldwin-Whitehall Junior HS. Havent been back that way for decades but I'm still a Steeler fan!!

How about you, what part are you in?

[jewboypgh]

I’ve lived in Hazelwood my entire life. Good to see other burghers on here.