WBO and WBC super featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson had plenty of praise for Oscar Valdez following his win on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Stevenson beat the Mexican on the judges' scorecards which reflected a dominant performance from the 24-year-old.
Despite looking a class above Valdez inside the ring, Stevenson told The DAZN Boxing Show that this particular fight was the toughest of his career so far.
"I’ve got to give him [Oscar Valdez] credit," Stevenson said.
"He was trying his hardest, people think ‘why is he not putting on more pressure’, he tried.
"I am a master of distance, I tested the body, I’m a fighter that’s hard to press because I know how to pick you apart."
Valdez is a fighter known for his power, and it was something that Stevenson felt throughout 12 rounds, but in the end it had no bearing on the outcome.
"Valdez is the strongest opponent I’ve ever fought. His power, I felt it," Stevenson stated.