Shakur Stevenson v Oscar Valdez

[Master]

Shakur Stevenson believes he is "under the skin" of fellow unbeaten super-featherweight Oscar Valdez and has vowed to "dominate" their unification fight on Saturday night.

WBO champion Stevenson (17-0) and WBC belt holder Valdez (30-0) put their respective world titles on the line in Las Vegas, live on Sky Sports.

American star Stevenson claimed the WBO belt with a 10th-round stoppage of countryman Jamel Herring in October as he followed Valdez in becoming a two-weight world champion, with both fighters formerly holding the WBO featherweight title.

Live boxing on Sky Sports
Stevenson told Sky Sports he believes Valdez did not want to fight him at featherweight and feels the Mexican may regret taking the bout in a higher weight class, saying there is "definitely" a chance of him winning via knockout.

Stevenson said of the verbal battle: "I'm fully under his skin, I know for a fact. I can clearly tell I'm under his skin. This rivalry has been going a long time.

"I have been trying to fight him. I was his mandatory at 126lb but the fight didn't happen at that time. Maybe it's destiny but I believe he didn't want to fight at that time.

"He waited this long and I feel it was a bad idea for him to wait. They've got a more-experienced Shakur Stevenson, not the same one they would have got when I was 126lb.

"I'm going in and I'm going to dominate. Whatever game plan I have, I want to execute. That's what I'll do on Saturday night, I'm going in there to win every round.

"[Most definitely] there could be a knockout. A lot of people are saying the fight will go to unanimous decision, with me winning, but don't sleep on that. There's very much a possibility I could catch him with a good shot.

"I'm in a hell of a shape, I'm just so ready to fight now, ready to go in and do what I've been trying to do. This is the biggest fight of my career. I'm excited, I can't wait to perform."

Stevenson: I am relaxed like Floyd Mayweather
Stevenson says he has the Floyd Mayweather Jr "mindset" of staying calm in and around huge fights and has vowed to "shine" at the MGM Grand Garden Arena this weekend.

The New Jersey-born southpaw "respects" Valdez for taking on the fight and believes the duo's battle is "great for boxing".

Stevenson said: "I watch old Floyd [Mayweather] fights where he sells out arenas. If you pay attention to him, he is so relaxed.

"I feel like I've got that kind of mindset where I block everything out. I'm focused on fighting, making sure I'm relaxed. My mindset is that it's another day in the office.

On Valdez, who has 23 knockout victories on his CV, Stevenson added: "I understand and respect the fact he's taking a risk, he didn't have to take the challenge, a big challenge.

"You got to respect him outside the ring, the character to sign the contract, I respect every bit of it but inside I don't respect him. I've got no respect. I won't respect anything inside the ring.

"It's going to be a great fight and I feel I always step up to the plate in the biggest moments. On Saturday night, I'm going to step up to the plate. I'm going to shine."

Watch Shakur Stevenson vs Oscar Valdez live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena from 2am on Sunday morning.

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[Master]

Stevenson: 'I look forward to beating Valdez - and Canelo!'

Shakur Stevenson called Oscar Valdez's bluff as he braced himself for a war when the two meet in their unification fight in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The pair both enter the fight defending undefeated records alongside their world titles, Valdez having won 23 of his 30 fights by stoppage and Stevenson 17-0 after nine knockouts and eight victories by decision.

Valdez, seven years older than Stevenson, insisted he was ready for any style of fight, including going 12 rounds for the first time in his career.

"With a fight with Shakur you never know. We can bang if we have to bang, we can box if we have to box, it all depends what Shakur brings," he said at Thursday's press conference.

Stevenson was quick to respond, suggesting his opponent was trying to play mind games.

"I think that's BS, I think he's coming to bang," he said. "I think he's trying to trick me into thinking he's about to try box me and be technical.

"I'm not falling for that.

"I'm ready for the Oscar Valdez who will go in there throwing all them hooks and putting pressure."

On the weekend of the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas, Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman was called upon to produce the coin toss that would decide on Stevenson walking out second but being introduced first at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Both insisted they were in the best shape of their life, both set their sights on the pound-for-pound list.

Part of Valdez's camp has notably involved the man at the tip of the pound-for-pound list in fellow countryman Canelo Álvarez - a fact on which Stevenson was happy to pounce.

"When Bud (Terence Crawford) was in my camp Bud came in and we sparred each other, but I feel like it's different with his camp because he had Canelo with him every step of the way," said the 24-year-old.

"Canelo was right there next to him telling him how to hook, jab and they were with each other every step of the way so when I beat him I'm going to feel good beating him, Canelo and Eddie Reynoso (Canelo's trainer)."

Valdez had previously been accused of 'ducking' a fight with Stevenson, who himself admitted it was time to move on from those claims.

With belts now to show for their work, the time is right.

"It was perfect timing," said Valdez. "Shakur Stevenson is a two-time world champion, I'm a two-time world champion, it's a perfect time now. Let's prove who is the best at 130lbs."

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