Shakur Stevenson says if he’s pressured nonstop by William Zepeda, it’s going to “wake up a monster” that he doesn’t want to see on Saturday night on July 12th. Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) states Zepeda (33-0, 27 KOs) won’t like what happens if he unleashes him in their undercard fight on DAZN PPV.

Booing Risks for Shakur

Fans don’t believe WBC lightweight champion Stevenson can change his fighting style. He’s been consistently turning in uninteresting performances over the last eight years, so when he says he’s going to change, you can’t believe him. If he could, he would have by now. It’s like an addiction. Shakur’s fighting style is set in stone. He always says he can change, but he never does. 

There’s going to be a lot of booing from unhappy fans on Saturday night if Shakur chooses to move for 12 rounds to evade the pressure from Zepeda. Turki Alalshikh is going to be furious.

Zepeda’s Relentless Attack

“This is why he’s not going to beat me. He’s going to come in straight at me and throw nonstop punches the entire night,” said Shakur Stevenson to Ring Magazine’s channel about why he thinks he’ll beat William Zepeda. “There’s nothing different that he’s going to do.”

Zepeda will come straight at Shakur, and he needs to show that he can do something different from what he normally does – running. Stevenson needs to show that he can stand in the pocket, fight, and defend. This event is on DAZN PPV, and fans are expecting to be entertained for their money.

It would be less of an issue if Turki Alalshikh placed Shakur on the prelim card, where he won’t be seen by paying fans. Putting him in the co-feature spot against a guy who throws 100+ punches per round is asking for trouble. Shakur can’t fight someone like that without resorting to his base instincts of moving.

Stevenson’s “Monster” Warning

“I’m levels above him because I know I can do whatever I want. Sometimes, I fight in the pocket. Sometimes I move a tiny bit. It depends on how I want to fight that night. I see him making me fight. I feel that’s not what he really wants. It’s going to wake up a monster he has yet to see. Tell him to bring it,” said Stevenson about Zepeda.

What on Earth is Shakur talking about? He doesn’t just move a “tiny bit.” He’s all over the ring, showing no interest in engaging with his opponents.

Stevenson is levels above Zepeda in his ability to move, but that’s it. You can’t call Shakur a better defensive fighter because his primary line of defense is moving out of range.