Shakur Stevenson guarantees a “Vintage Cour” performance against Schofield

WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson says fans should tune in to his February 22 fight against Floyd Schofield in Riyadh to see “vintage Cur.“

What Shakur (22-0, 10 KO) means by “vintage” stuff from him can be translated as code for him being on his bike, using his hit-and-don’t-punch style to win a points decision.

Something would mean that “vintage” Shakur was an exciting style of feud that fans could look forward to, but he was NEVER that type of fighter.

Stevenson has had an ancient fossil Mayweather-style approach to fighting since turning pro from the Olympics. He is like a musician from the 1940s who has entered the 21st century through a time warp.

Can Shakur entertain?

It’s important for Stevenson to make it entertaining because this is a Turki Alalshih card, and there will be plenty of boxing fans lining up for the contest, which will be shown live on DAZN.

If Shakur wants to headline some future shows instead of being buried on the undercard like he is with the February 22 card, he needs to stay in the pocket and trade with the 22-year-old Schofield (18-0, 12 KO ). He needs to put his chin on the line to make it fun for the fans if he wants a higher spot on Turki’s future cards.

He wants fighters who entertain the fans, and Shakur doesn’t meet those standards, or at least he hasn’t in the past. It’s not too late for Stevenson to turn over a new leaf and become a pocket fighter, but I don’t think he can. He has too much rabbit in him.

“Kid Austin is 22 years old. Tommy Hearns fought Ray Leonard at the age of 21 (correction: Thomas ‘Hitman’ Hearn first fought Sugar Ray Leonard at the age of 22 years and 10 months on September 16, 1981). I’m not getting into that. Manny Pacquiao was champion at 19 and Floyd Mayweather at 21,” said Stephen Edwards. Fighthippe when asked if Floyd Schofield is too young at 22 to fight WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson.

“(Mike) Tyson was champion at 20. Muhammad Ali at 22. Salvador Sanchez at 20. I could go down the list,” Edwards said. “Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad. I think he was a champion at 20 years old. Even Canelo and Inoue. They are two of the better guys in this era. They won championships at 20 and 21 years old.”

Stephen does not say that those fighters were much better than Schofield, and that they looked outstanding before they won their first world titles. They didn’t fight lower ranked fighters like Schofield. It’s something Edwards glosses over, mentioning great fighters in the past who won world titles at an early age.

“Is it a tough fight?” Yes. Will Shakur be too much of a favorite? Yes,” Edwards said in the Stevenson vs. Schofield fight on Feb. 22. “Did Kid Austin fight in his last fight (against Rene Tellez Giron)? Yes. I still give him (Kid Austin) credit for this fight. Sometimes you want to fight these fights in your physical prime.

“Sometimes youth overcomes a lot of things and they look confident,” Edwards said of Schofield and his father, Floyd Sr. “Let them fight.” I never say that. I never try to keep a guy from wanting to fight. If you think you’re good enough, go inside and fight. Do I think he will win?

“I actually think Shakur is one of the top 10 to 12 fighters on the planet.” Shakur is also a special guy. But rough, athletic guys tend to give smooth boxers a tough fight. Sean Porter gave everyone a tough fight, and that’s what Kid Austin reminds me of the most. Tim Bradley is in the Hall of Fame. He was tough, athletic and gave everybody a tough fight,” Edwards said.

Is Shakur overrated?

Stevenson is not one of the best fighters on the planet, not even close. His fighting style is not one of the best in boxing, and he is not fun to watch. He’s a defender, and that’s it. To be one of the best fighters in the sport, you need to balance offense and defense.

Shakur is only on the defensive. He is 95% in defense and 5% in attack. His narrow win over Edwin De Los Santos last year showed that he is not one of the best fighters on the planet, because if he was, he would have dominated him instead of being booed out of the T-Mobile Arena that night in Las Vegas. Edwards was wrong.

Schofield’s earlier chances of victory are aggressiveness, power punches and constant pressure on Shakur in each round of the fight. He will have to be good at cutting off the ring because Stevenson will be constantly moving, as always, trying not to get hit.

22 Feb belt 2 asses make sure you listen to me Watch me beat up Kid Austin like he stole something… Vintage Kur is back 🦾

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) December 24, 2024