Stevenson outpoints Valdez in dominating win, takes WBC belt

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WBO champion Shakur Stevenson handed Oscar Valdez the first loss of his career Saturday night in a junior lightweight championship bout.

What some thought could be a fight of the year candidate turned into a one-sided boxing clinic.

Stevenson (18-0, 9 KOs) won by unanimous decision and took Valdez’s WBC belt with the victory.

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Shakur Stevenson, right, throws a punch at Oscar Valdez during a WBC-WBO junior lightweight title boxing bout Saturday, April 30, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Stevenson displayed faster hands, exquisite footwork, and overall better boxing skills than Valdez. Stevenson outpunched his opponent 189-110 and landed 53% of his power punches.

Judge Tim Cheatham had the fight scored 117-110, while Dave Moretti and David Sutherland had it 118-109.

"This victory means everything," said Stevenson, who is looking to win every belt at 130 pounds and unify the division. "I told ya’ll what I was going to do. I said I’m gonna beat Valdez, Canelo (Alvarez), and Eddy Reynoso, so that was my game plan. Beat the whole team and I feel good about it. Much respect to them, but that was my game plan.

"I deserve to be a superstar, so that’s what I gotta do."

Stevenson looked every bit a superstar when he took advantage of Valdez’s huge gamble in the sixth round. Valdez misfired an overhand left that left him in a vulnerable position. Stevenson countered quickly by dropping Valdez with a quick left shot to the temple and seized control of the bout.

Valdez (30-1) wasn’t the same after that round, and seemingly lost the poise he started with. Stevenson, conversely, was in control