Shakur Stevenson continues to conquer and break points per pound in 2022. This time he will face one of the toughest opponents in the super featherweight division. The American finished 2021 brilliantly, started 2022 strong and continues with less cool.

This time, however, he will face a tougher test than before.

Stevenson is one of the most talented boxers in the world. Beat two tops and now goes to a tough Brazil

The end of 2021 is the first big step towards Shakur Stevenson’s recognition. And before that, it was clear that the American is a very talented athlete with a strong base. He grew from fight to fight, but the opponents did not answer all the bows in his favor. Sure, his colleagues like Tock Clery, Joet Gonzalez, or Alberto Guevara are all good, but nothing more.

First, in mid-2021, Stevenson faced the tough Jeremiah Nakatila. The fight was tough and although the American won, he did not hit. And in October of the same year, Shakur defeated former world champion Jamel Herring. It is a clear fact that the American should have won, but he did so in a strong and extremely confident manner. He bombarded the former USA team captain and won by technical knockout in the tenth round.

For Stevenson, the start of 2022 is no less powerful. On April 30, he went to unify against one of the leaders of the featherweight division. The fight against Oscar Valdez was interesting. The Mexican proved to be the smartest boxer and, if not the most dimensional, definitely not to be written off with pre-fights and conquests.

Before meeting Shakur, Valdez had beaten Miguel Berchelt and Robson Conceicao, both big and inept rivals. The first is a powerful stapler, and the second is a skilled counter-staple. But little Oscar interrupted both the first (by knockout) and the second (by the judges’ decision). But Stevenson failed.

The American taught a lesson in American boxing in the ring. A sustained punch pierced through the defense of an opponent eager for a trade. Cool work on the feet did not allow the Mexicans to come close. And yet, when Valdez broke the opponent’s constant counterattacks, it turned out that in a fight at an average distance, Shakur was no better, if not worse, than his counterpart.

Stevenson’s main question before fighting Valdez was how he boxed against real highs. Beating Nakatila and veteran Herring is one thing. Another is to reach the reigning champion and the staple. It turned out to be this easy, thanks to timing and reason.

Ahead is a meeting with Robson Conceicao, who certainly deserves but hasn’t gotten enough attention from casual fans. Robson is the author of a very strange victory over Lomachenko, which the Ukrainian Olympic team managed to cancel. But as a professional, he has no such problem.

It wasn’t until September 2021 that Conceicao was undefeated and beat anyone who stood in his way. Then she met up with Oscar Valdez. Not to say that Mexico is definitely better. At some points yes, but it didn’t tear and it didn’t surprise. The Brazilian’s problem was his inactivity. He could only move half a turn, run away, not let himself be hit. But it didn’t quite work. Valdez protected his opponent in the corners and even though he didn’t hit much, he looked much better visually and he got the win just because of this.

At the same time, Robson showed great boxing. He’s smart, technical and fast enough to cause trouble for the champion and the favourite. And then he came back in a duel against the undefeated Javier Martinez. With the 24-year-old American, Conceicao was doing business in the ring and did not rest, so he reworked his big counterpart, with the unanimous decision of the judges.

Now the Brazilian has a bigger challenge ahead of Valdes. But the duel will be technically more interesting and more difficult for the favorite of the Americans.

How favorite is Shakur?

According to bookies, the American is a clear favourite. You can bet on Stevenson 1.07. In Robson – for 7.50.

Of course, the American must win visually. He’s a younger, very strong boxer and a fighter everyone is betting on. In any close combat, the judges are unlikely to give victory to the 33-year-old Brazilian.

On the other hand, Conceicao is the one who can complicate things for Shakur. Trite because of technology, mobility and dimensions. Robson is larger than the American – nine centimeters taller and has a five centimeters longer arm span.

Stevenson, like everyone else, is uncomfortable boxing with such opponents. His ideal counterpart is someone who is aggressive, pushing forward, and trying to hurt. In games, Shakur is also in perfect order, but not enough to be one hundred percent sure of his victory.

So we are in an intriguing and highly technical encounter; If the Brazilian boxing instead of standing on the ropes, the American will have to work hard to win.

Shakur Stevenson vs. Robson Conceição will be played on the night of September 23-24 in New Jersey.