Shakur Stevenson, a Newark native and 2016 Olympic silver medalist, defeated Oscar Valdez in a WBC-WBO super featherweight unification bout.
It was a disappointing and unnecessary end to a night that confirmed everyone in the boxing world knew: That Stevenson, 24, is ready to take his place among the sport’s marquee fighters. His dominant performance against the previously unbeaten Valdez confirmed that he belongs on the short list of the best boxers of his generation.
“I told you I was a superstar,” Stevenson said before all hell broke loose, “and I’m going to keep proving it every time.” He wanted Valdez. He wanted his shot in Vegas against a 30-0 boxer who, in Stevenson’s view, had been dodging him for years. Valdez dropped his belt and moved up a weight class when Stevenson became his mandatory opponent at featherweight, a decision that Stevenson — a better boxer than he was two and a half years ago — made him regret.
When the fight was over, Stevenson flexed his biceps and danced around the perimeter of the ring before jumping on the ropes to celebrate. He pounded his fist against his chest as Valdez, his face covered in red welts, waited for the decision.