It Was All About the Jab: Stevenson Neutralizes Lopez for Fourth Division Title

It Was All the Jab: Stevenson Neutralizes Lopez for Fourth Division Title

Shakur Stevenson proved moving up a fourth weight division was no problem as he soundly defeated WBO super lightweight titlist Teofimo Lopez with mostly a jab in winning by unanimous decision on Saturday.

It was more touch than punch.

“I knew my jab was going to kill him,” Stevenson said.

New Jersey’s Stevenson (25-0, 11 Kos) became the fastest to win a fourth division world title by jabbing his way past Brooklyn’s Lopez (22-2, 13 Kos) at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

After winning world titles as a featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight the big question posed was if he could handle the super athletic Lopez who conquered two weight divisions including the super lights. He was also a fighter who defeated the odds and beat fighters Josh Taylor and Vasyl Lomachenko who were favored to beat him.

Could Stevenson, the favorite by oddsmakers, conquer Lopez?

In a fight that delivered few big blows, there was blood from a cut that seemed to happen when Stevenson laced Lopez on the face during a break around the sixth round. Stevenson’s jab opened it up even more.

Few combinations were fired by Stevenson who did not need more than a jab, though he did connect sporadically it was always from a counter-punch position. Lopez was always the aggressor and Stevenson always on defense.

Lopez never could crack Stevenson’s defense.

The Brooklyn fighter had a good moment in the opening round when he connected with a right and left. He was quickly countered by similar blows from Stevenson. That was always the problem for Lopez. Whenever he scored, Stevenson scored right back. Lopez connected often to the body but seldom connected to the head. When they tangled inside, Stevenson seemed the stronger fighter.

And that Stevenson jab scored whenever there was a lull.

By the ninth round it was apparent Lopez had to change his tactics. He became a more aggressive fighter and scored with combination punches. Though Stevenson evaded single shots with ease, combinations afforded Lopez moments to score while Stevenson covered up.

It was too late to catch up. Lopez needed a knockdown or a knockout and Stevenson was not allowing it. Lopez became more desperate and Stevenson took advantage. Neither fighter was ever stunned or close to a knockdown.

Though Lopez had his best moments in the last three rounds he could not evade that jab that opened up the cut on his left eye even more. It was clear that Lopez was going for the knockout but against a defensive stalwart like Stevenson, that was not possible.

After 12 rounds all three judges scored it 119-109 for Stevenson who becomes the new WBO super lightweight titlist.

“I felt good. I picked him apart. I did what I was supposed to do,” said Stevenson. “I told you Im the best fighter on the planet and I stand by that.”

Lopez was gracious in defeat.

“Great guy, great fighter,” said Lopez. “We put everything on the line and he won.”

Stevenson was grateful for the opportunity to prove his skills.

“I felt I was stronger,” said Stevenson. “I appreciate Teofimo, he is one of the best fighters I fought.”

Other Bouts

Fighting for the first time at super lightweight Keyshawn Davis (14-0, 10 Kos) figured out the puzzle that is Jamaine Ortiz (20-3-1, 10 Kos) and dropped him in the final round to win by technical knockout.

“I put on an amazing performance. Knockout,” said Davis a former lightweight world titlist who moved up a weight division for this fight.

Animosity between the two fighters kept this fight at a high level as Davis advanced forward and Ortiz used his footwork and quick counters to keep from being overrun.

During the latter part of the match Ortiz was aware he was behind on points and  began to fight more aggressively. That led to more lightning exchanges and Davis found the mark with a left hook to the body in the 11^th round. Down went Ortiz but he survived the round.

In the final round Ortiz and Davis exchanged violent punches again but while moving backward David fired a left to the body. Ortiz took the blow but a couple of seconds later he dropped to his knee. Referee Thomas Taylor waved the fight over at 2:47 of the final round for a technical knockout win for Davis.

“I just love being great. I just keep digging, keep going,” said Davis who was also an Olympic silver medalist. “I just want to keep putting on a great performance I feel that I did that.”

A battle for the vacant IBF super lightweight title saw Richardson “Shu Shu” Carrington (17-0, 10 Kos) knock out Mexico’s Carlos Castro (30-4, 14 Kos) after a back and forth battle.

Carrington showed off his speed, technique and that sterling left jab but stepped into a pothole when he was rocked in the third round by an overhand right cross from Castro. Carrington ended up fighting for survival in that round but survived.

Back to basics Carrington used his jab and tactics to keep Castro from repeating his prior assault and both fighters exchanged almost equally for the remainder of the fight. Everything changed in the ninth round when Carrington unleashed a lightning five-punch combination that delivered a brutal knockout of Castro who could not get off the canvas at 1:29 of the round.

“Carlos Castro I told you is a dangerous guy. He got me on a shot and kind of buzzed me,” said Carrington who lives in nearby Brooklyn. “I knew I was going to finish strong.

It wasn’t my first time. When I got caught had to go back to boxing. Get into another groove.”

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