Quote Originally Posted by mikeeod View Post
Quote Originally Posted by Spicoli View Post
Credit where credits due on Top rank putting them both up. Do think if Shakur develops a mean streak and asserts off of athletic southpaw advantages, he could do a number on a few guys and favor over Valdez. The lumps and welts on his mug will be aplenty. But this isn't Jamel Herring and he's not faced anything close to the compact power and depth of a Valdez. Looking forward to this big time.
Agree- Valdez is a step up and provides real risk. I always feel like you can tell the real ones by how aggressively they are matched up at esrly points in their careers- I just have this feeling that Shakur is the real deal and will go far. Hats off to Top Rank and both guys for making this fight happen right now.

I am always a little hesitant to proclaim a young guy as the next big/sure thing, but I just feel like Stevenson has all the physical gifts plus the intangibles. Valdez will push him and make him a better fighter- as long as he passes the test. For every Oscar, Floyd, Roy…etc., there is a Howard Davis, Francisco Bojado, and Ricardo Williams. I’m excited for this fight and like both guys.
You're right on that. I admit to being a serious doubter of the fire in the belly and maturity of Stevenson. Athleticism, boxing skill and potential..all boxes checked. But up until last fight he seemed to be lacking the willingness to downshift and really open up all those advantages. That changed with Herring. Whipped him out clean. His snoozer track meet with Nakathila prior looks a bit different now..hindsight being 20/20 and the complete thrashing Nakathila just gave Berchelt. Styles making fights and all. But Valdez is going to have a rough time getting where he needs to be and staying there, up close and hooking short before Stevenson shows the footwork and reset he has. And cannot see any scenario where Valdez can keep it a boxing match even though the power jab of Valdez may give Stevenson some pause early. Hope they mesh somewhere in the middle and no doubt both will be top form and a tough competitive fight comes off!