Shakur Stevenson defeated Oscar Valdez on his way to a unanimous decision victory over the Mexican on Saturday, adding the World Boxing Council Super Featherweight title to his own World Boxing Organization belt. Stevenson improved to 18-0 by defeating Mexico’s Valdez for the first time in 31 professional fights.
Stevenson knocked Valdez out in the sixth round with a left to the head on his way to his first defense of the WBO title he won in October with a 10th-round technical knockout of Jamel Herring. Valdez defeated Miguel Berchelt in 2021 to win the WBC title, which he retained in September with a unanimous decision over Robson Conceicao. The 31-year-old Mexican, a two-time Olympian, was engrossed in scandal after testing positive for the forbidden stimulant phentermine eight days before the fight.
Valdez attributed the positive result to herbal tea, and authorities ruled that the drug was only prohibited during competition. Valdez had no answer for Stevenson’s speed and movement on Saturday. Two judges ruled in Stevenson’s favor, 118-109, and a third ruled in favor of the American, 117-110. In an in-ring interview, Stevenson said: “He is a tough champion, but I prepared to beat him. I’m ready for anyone, I want all the belts.”
However, Stevenson had personal matters to attend to immediately following the fight. He got down on one knee in the ring and proposed to his girlfriend, rapper Young Lyric, who accepted. The couple has a daughter.
Valdez admitted that Stevenson was the superior fighter on the night. He said: “He has a very great boxing quality and today he was the best in the ring. “He moves very well, he’s a champion. He has speed, he’s a great boxer.”
