Shakur Stevenson wanted Oscar Valdez in the worst way. Now, he's going to get it.
On Thursday, it was announced that Stevenson and Valdez would meet in a junior lightweight title unification on Saturday, April 30, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs), the WBO champion, captured the belt when he stopped Jamel Herring in the 10th round in October to become a two-division world champion. The 24-year-old has been chasing Valdez since they were at featherweight. Now he gets the chance to become the first unified junior lightweight champion since Marco Antonio Barrera in 2005.
“I have been chasing this fight for nearly three years since we were both at featherweight," Stevenson said in a press release. "On April 30, I’m going to show him and the world why he ducked me all this time. I’m the best young fighter in the world, and I will become unified champion.”
The WBC titlist, Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs), is 4-0 since moving up to 130 pounds, winning the WBC belt over Miguel Berchelt. He made his first defense of that title in September, coming on strong in the later rounds to edge Robson Conceição by unanimous decision. Valdez's heard what Stevenson's been saying about him and vows to quiet him once and for all.
"I want to make it clear that I am the best 130-pound fighter in the world,” Valdez said. “We know Shakur Stevenson is very good at fighting, but he's even better at social media. I'll let my fists speak for themselves.”
April 30 is a historic day as Katie Taylor meets Amanda Serrano for the undisputed Women's lightweight championship from Madison Square Garden. It is the first time women have been on top of the marquee at MSG. DAZN has promised to stagger the main event times, so the fights don't clash with one another. This is something Stevenson has been calling for.
On Thursday, it was announced that Stevenson and Valdez would meet in a junior lightweight title unification on Saturday, April 30, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs), the WBO champion, captured the belt when he stopped Jamel Herring in the 10th round in October to become a two-division world champion. The 24-year-old has been chasing Valdez since they were at featherweight. Now he gets the chance to become the first unified junior lightweight champion since Marco Antonio Barrera in 2005.
“I have been chasing this fight for nearly three years since we were both at featherweight," Stevenson said in a press release. "On April 30, I’m going to show him and the world why he ducked me all this time. I’m the best young fighter in the world, and I will become unified champion.”
The WBC titlist, Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs), is 4-0 since moving up to 130 pounds, winning the WBC belt over Miguel Berchelt. He made his first defense of that title in September, coming on strong in the later rounds to edge Robson Conceição by unanimous decision. Valdez's heard what Stevenson's been saying about him and vows to quiet him once and for all.
"I want to make it clear that I am the best 130-pound fighter in the world,” Valdez said. “We know Shakur Stevenson is very good at fighting, but he's even better at social media. I'll let my fists speak for themselves.”
April 30 is a historic day as Katie Taylor meets Amanda Serrano for the undisputed Women's lightweight championship from Madison Square Garden. It is the first time women have been on top of the marquee at MSG. DAZN has promised to stagger the main event times, so the fights don't clash with one another. This is something Stevenson has been calling for.