WEEK OF FIGHT
Rising star Shakur Stevenson will defend his 130-pound belts against Brazilian Robson Conceicao Friday on ESPN. In addition, on Saturday Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker face each other.
SHAKUR STEVENSON (18-0, 9 KOs) VS. ROBSON CONCEICAO (17-1, 8 KOs)
When: Friday, September 23 Time: 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. Pound-for-pound ranking: Stevenson No. 14 Odds: Stevenson 14-1 favorite (average from multiple outlets) Also on the card: Keyshawn Davis vs. Omar Tienda, lightweight Prediction: Stevenson UD Background: Stevenson, the talented southpaw from New Jersey, is coming off sensational back-to-back wins over Jamel Herring (TKO 10 to win his belt) last October and Oscar Valdez (UD to unify two titles) in April to confirm his place among the best in the business. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist also claimed a 126-pound title in 2019. And he’s still just 25 years old. He is probably destined to challenge his fellow young stars at 135 pounds. However, he must first get past Conceicao. The 33-year-old Brazilian contender, a 2016 Olympic gold medalist, is a skilled boxer with limited punching power. He gave a good account of himself in his first world title shot, but came up short against then-champion Valdez last September, losing a clear decision. He bounced back to easily outpoint previously undefeated Xavier Martinez in January. He is ranked #2 by both the WBC and WBO.
JOE JOYCE (14-0, 13 KOs) VS. JOSEPH PARKER (30-2, 21 KOs)
When: Saturday, September 24 Time: 2pm ET / 11am PT (7pm BST) Where: AO Arena, Manchester, England TV/Broadcast: ESPN+ Division: Heavyweight (Unlimited) At stake: No major titles Pound for – pound rating: none Odds: Joyce 2-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets) Also on the card: Amanda Serrano vs. Sarah Mahfoud, featherweight (for Serrano’s WBC and WBO and Mahfoud’s IBF titles); Michael Magnesi vs. Anthony Cacace, 12 rounds, junior lightweight; Ekow Essuman vs. Samuel Antwi, 12 rounds, welterweight Prediction: Joyce UD Background: Joyce and Parker are fighting to become the mandatory challenger to Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO heavyweight title. Joyce, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist, recorded his big win when he stopped British rival Daniel Dubois in 10 rounds in November 2020. The 37-year-old Londoner followed that up with knockouts of Carlos Takam the following July and Christian Hammer last July. to establish itself as one of the main contenders. Parker represents the greatest proof of him. Kiwi, 30, held the WBO belt from December 2016 to March 2018, when he lost it via decision in a title unification fight against Anthony Joshua. He was outpointed by Dillian Whyte in his next fight, but rebounded to win his next six fights, including back-to-back decisions over Derek Chisora in May and December of last year. Also on the undercard, Amanda Serrano (42-2-1, 30 KOs) of Brooklyn will defend her featherweight title against Sarah Mahfoud (11-0, 3 KOs) of Denmark. Serrano is coming off a split decision loss to lightweight champion Katie Taylor in April.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
SATURDAY
Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara, featherweight, Nottingham, England (DAZN). Floyd Mayweather vs. Mikuru Asakura, exhibition, junior middleweight, Saitama, Japan (pay-per-view).
Related
Joe Joyce makes quick work of Christian Hammer, awaits title shot
Pound for pound: Shakur Stevenson climbs the list
Good, bad, worse: Taylor, Serrano deliver classics; Shakur Stevenson dazzles
Shakur Stevenson gives clinic in unilateral decision on Oscar Valdez
Joseph Parker defeats Derek Chisora by unanimous decision in a thriller
Joe Joyce knocks out Carlos Takam in the sixth round
Gallery
Photos: Shakur Stevenson’s dominant win over Oscar Valdez
