LAS VEGAS: A date with destiny awaits Edwin de los Santos, who said Friday that victory over Shakur Stevenson atop Top Rank's big boxing bill Thursday at the T-Mobile Arena will shape his life and career forever.
No matter who you speak to in the boxing business, there are few who argue against the notion that Stevenson is a future No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in boxing.
Those at Top Rank regard him as a Terence Crawford of the super featherweight and lightweight divisions — a boxer capable of beating whomever is in front of him, particularly if a 135-pound mega-fight with Gervonta Davis materializes.
First of all, though, Stevenson faces de los Santos, before the big bouts can get made.
But, judging from the way the Dominican boxer talks, he sounds confident he can rip up the script and cause an upset on Thursday, November 16.
"This is the most difficult and important challenge of my career," de los Santos said in a statement sent to ProBox TV.
"Winning this fight will change my life forever. I know Shakur is a great champion, and I understand I will need my entire arsenal to defeat him. It is a huge challenge, but not impossible."
He continued: "I am extremely focused on being crowned world champion and giving a world title to the Dominican Republic.
"A victory over Shakur would go down as one of the greatest in the history of Dominican boxing. That motivates me much more."
Stevenson's fight with de los Santos tops a bill that also features a fight involving Emmanuel Navarette and Robson Conceicao.
The event airs on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
