Shakur Improves to 22-0 and Christmas Comes Early for Conceicao in Newark

Shakur Improves to 22-0 and Christmas Comes Early for Conceicao in Newark

Fighting on his home turf, Newark-bred Shakur Stevenson, a three-division title-holder, advanced to 22-0 (10) while successfully defending his WBC lightweight title with a unanimous decision over heavy underdog Artem Horutyunyan (12-2) at the Prudential Center. The judges had it 119-109, 118-110, and 116-112.

Shakur entered the pro ranks after losing a split decision to Robeisy Ramirez in the final round of the bantamweight competition at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He promised an explosive performance in his last fight owed to his promoter Top Rank, but he delivered a workmanlike performance against his spunky German-Armenian adversary who did not punch hard enough to give Shakur any anxious moments. It was a match devoid of any drama.

Co-Feature

Although O’Shaquie Foster closed an 11/5 favorite, there were many folks that thought the fourth time would be a charm for Robson Conceicao. The 35-year-old, two-time Olympian and 2016 gold medalist was 18-2-1 heading in with the only blemishes in world title fights, most recently a draw with Emanuel Navarrete. And those that favored the Brazilian over the defending WBC 130-pound champion O’Shaquie Foster cashed in when Conceicao was awarded a split decision, winning by scores of 116-112 and 115-113 with the dissenter favoring O’Shaquie by 115-113.

But hold the phone. Although Conceicao wrested away the title in a bout with no indelible moments, the verdict is certain to create a furor on social media. In his post-fight interview, Foster said that he thought that he had scored a shutout and he had a sympathetic ear in unofficial ESPN scorer Mark Kriegel who had Foster winning 11 of the 12 rounds. Judge Ron McNair had Foster winning 116-112, but he was overruled by his colleagues Tony Lundy and Paul Wallace who voted for Conceicao by scores of 116-112 and 115-113, respectively. It will be interesting to see how New Jersey boxing head Larry Hazard addresses the controversy.

More

In a 10-round lightweight affair that was fan-friendly despite being one-sided and messy, former Olympic silver medalist Keyshawn Davis scored a unanimous decision over rugged Mexican campaigner Miguel Madueno. Davis, who was already ranked in the Top 5 by three of four relevant sanctioning bodies after only 10 pro fights, won by scores of 99-91 across the board.

A glutton for punishment who rarely took a backward step, Madueno, 31-2 heading in, maintained his distinction of having never been stopped. Madueno’s punches were often wide, but he did manage to graze referee David Franciosi with a short left to the kisser at the end of the sixth round. Franciosi, a 20-year-veteran as a ring official, earned every penny he was to be paid and should get a bonus.

In the opener of the main ESPN card, Abdullah Mason, a 20-year-old, can’t-miss, blue-chip prospect from Cleveland, had too much smoke for San Juan’s Luis Lebron who was rescued from further punishment by the referee at the 1:18 mark of round three.

Mason (14-0, 12 KOs) bloodied Lebron (20-6-1) and had him on the deck twice before the second round was over. He finished the job in the next stanza.

Also

In a ho-hum fight between two 30-year-old junior lightweights, Eridson Garcia, a Dominican fighting out of Houston, won a comfortable decision over Connecticut’s William Foster III. The judges had it 99-91 and 98-92 twice. Garcia improved to 19-1 (12). It was the second loss in 19 starts for New Haven’s Foster.

Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

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