Two-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson (19-0, 9 KOs) will take on Japanese puncher Shuichiro Yoshino (16-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round WBC lightweight title eliminator this Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Shakur steps up to the lightweight division seeking to put himself in the frame to challenge the likes of Devin Haney, Vasyl Lomachenko, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia, who all return to action themselves in the near future.
Shakur, who returns to action in his hometown of Newark, missed weight in his last appearance in September against Robson Conceicao, which saw him stripped of his WBO and WBC world super-featherweight titles. However, despite this, Stevenson would produce an exceptional performance despite the drama of seeing his titles being stripped away from him.
Stevenson speaking at today’s press conference has vowed to give his Japanese opponent a rude awakening after being criticized by Yoshino that he does not carry any power. Stevenson aims to show the undefeated Yoshino that he will be the best fighter he will ever face.
“It feels great to be back home. It feels great to be back in front of my fans and family. I’m enjoying myself, and I just can’t wait for Saturday. I’m really excited for Saturday. But is he ready for Saturday? That’s the real question. He walks around here with a smile, and I can’t wait to wipe that smile off his face.”
“This dude has been running around here saying that I don’t have any power. He’s been saying that he’s going to push me mentally. Let’s see if he’s ready to go to deep waters with me. I’m going to drown him.”
“You’re going to see everything in the arsenal. I’m going to go out there and box him. I’m going to beat him up. He’s going to leave that ring knowing that I’m the best fighter he’s ever been in the ring with. I am not Nakatani. What is he going to do when his game plan doesn’t work? What is he even going to do?”
“He hasn’t been in with a southpaw since his pro debut, so how is he going to be when he faces the best southpaw in the world in me? All i say is that i wish him good luck.”
Yoshino did not say much at the press conference other than knowing that Stevenson is not Masayoshi Nakatani. Yoshino knocked out Nakatani last November in five rounds.
“I’m really pumped up for the fight. I’m really excited.”
“I’m excited to fight for the WBC title, and this opportunity is really going to change my place in boxing.”
“My trainer and I have been studying Shakur. We have a game plan to implement on Saturday.”
