Shakur Stevenson is set to take on Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant WBC lightweight title, while Emanuel Navarrete will defend his WBO super featherweight title against Robson Conceição. The doubleheader event is scheduled for November 16 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+. The decision to hold the event on a Thursday aligns with the Formula 1 Grand Prix happening in Las Vegas, aiming to capitalize on the heightened interest and viewership.
Stevenson and De Los Santos will compete for the WBC 135-lb belt, which was previously held by undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney before he moved up to the 140-lb division. Stevenson's fighting style has garnered mixed reactions, with some critics comparing it unfavorably to Guillermo Rigondeaux's approach. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum commented on the upcoming fight, stating, "This is a tremendous platform for Shakur Stevenson to show why he is well on his way to reigning as the sport’s pound-for-pound king." However, Stevenson's defensive style and lack of high-profile opponents have made it challenging for him to secure fights against top-tier boxers.
The WBC's reputation has been under scrutiny recently, with claims that the organization allows champions to hold onto their titles without defending them. Boxing enthusiasts hope that Stevenson won't follow in the footsteps of champions like Tyson Fury and Jermall Charlo, who have been criticized for not defending their WBC belts regularly.
While the Stevenson-De Los Santos bout is anticipated to draw significant attention, the Navarrete-Conceicao match has received mixed reactions. Conceição, at 34, has a recent record of 1-2-1, raising questions about his suitability as a challenger for a world title. Stevenson's achievements are commendable, but critics argue that he hasn't faced elite competition, with his title wins coming against older or less challenging opponents.
Image Credit: TGB Promotions