The grandson of famed St. Louis coach, Buddy Shaw, Stephan Shaw is ready to announce himself to the world on Saturday, January 14th, live on ESPN, from Verona, New York.
“I faced adversity the average man wouldn’t be able to deal with,” said Shaw at today’s press conference, echoing his thoughts from his interview, two months ago on the popular podcast “The Boxing Shop”, presented by ITRBoxing.com. “Me, coming from St. Louis, and beating the odds to just being here on this stage…having my moment. I am ready to thrive in it, I am ready to seize the moment, and I feel great.”
Shaw, who might best be known for sparring Deontay Wilder, during Wilder’s ascension to fame, riches and world champion status in the sport is now looking to forge his own path. Now training San Diego, California, Shaw is focused on the present and not the past, and the present is Efe Ajagba.
Ajagba is a 2016 Olympian, who is known for his heavy hands and despite losing to Frank Sanchez, has rebounded with a second-round knockout and has been very stoic and quiet all-week.
This is the biggest test of Shaw’s career, but many experts are looking at this as a Terence Crawford vs Briedis Prescott moment in which a star might be born.
We will find out on Saturday.