Shakur Stevenson guaranteed a “Vintage Kur” performance against Schofield

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

What Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) means by his “retro” stuff could be translated as code for him being on his bike, using his hit-and-don't-get-hit style to to win a points decision.

It would mean something if “vintage” Shakur was an exciting riding style that fans would look forward to, but he was NEVER that type of fighter.

Stevenson has had an ancient Mayweather-esque fighting approach since turning pro since the Olympics. He's like a musician from the 1940s time warped into the 21st century.

Can Shakur entertain?

It's important to Stevenson that he makes it fun because this is Turki Alalshikh's card and there will be plenty of boxing fans who will be ordering the contest, which will be shown live on DAZN.

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

“The Austin kid is 22. Tommy Hearns fought Ray Leonard at 21 (correction: Thomas 'Hitman' Hearn fought Sugar Ray Leonard for the first time at 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,” Stephen Edwards told Fighthype when asked if Floyd Scofield 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 can go down the list,” Edwards said. “Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad. I think he was champion at 20. Even Canelo and Inoue. They are two of the best guys in this era. They won championships at 20 and 21.

Stephen is not saying that these fighters were much better than Scofield and looked amazing before they won their first world titles. They didn't fight lower class fighters like Scofield does. This is something that Edwards glosses over by mentioning great fighters of the past who won world titles at a young age.

“Is it a tough fight? yes Will Shakur be the overwhelming favorite? Yes,” Edwards said at the Stevenson vs. Scofield fight on Feb. 22. “Is Kid Austin struggling in his last fight (against Rene Tellez Giron)? yes I still give him (Kid Austin) credit for taking that fight. Sometimes you want to take these fights in your prime.

“Sometimes youth overcomes a lot of things and they seem confident,” Edwards said of Scofield and his father, Floyd Sr. “Let them fight. I never say that. I never try to dissuade a man from his desire to fight. If you think you're good enough, then get in there 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 person. But rough, athletic guys tend to give smooth boxers a tough fight. Sean Porter gave everyone a tough fight and that's who Austin the Kid reminds me of the most. Tim Bradley is in the Hall of Fame. He was strong, athletic and gave everybody a tough fight,” Edwards said.

Is Shakur Overrated?

Stevenson is not one of the best fighters on the planet, and not even close. His fighting style is not among the best in boxing and is not fun to watch. He's a defensive guy and that's it. To be one of the best fighters in the sport, you have to balance offense and defense.

Shakur is defensive only. He has 95% defense and 5% offense. His close 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 instead of being booed out of the T-Mobile Arena that night in Las Vegas. Edwards was wrong.

Scofield's previous chances of victory have been by being aggressive, throwing hard punches and putting constant pressure on Shakur in every round of the fight. He'll 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 ass make sure you tune in. Watch me beat on Kid Austin like he stole something… Vintage Kur back 🦾

— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) December 24, 2024