Stevenson KOs Guevara in thrilling homecoming

Rising featherweight star Shakur Stevenson made a triumphant homecoming as he blew out Alberto Guevara in a dominant third-round knockout efficiency to retain his regional belt and transfer to the precipice of a shot at a world title on Saturday evening in Newark, New Jersey.

Preventing earlier than a partisan crowd of 5,150 in the principle occasion of the Prime Rank Boxing on ESPN card on the Prudential Heart, Stevenson placed on a flawless efficiency, scoring two knockdowns within the second spherical earlier than placing Guevara away within the third spherical.

“There is just one method to describe tonight — superb,” Stevenson stated of his first skilled battle in his hometown. “Seeing all of my household, mates and all people from town come out to assist was unimaginable. We’re going to do many extra fights and even larger. We’re bringing big-time boxing again to Newark.”

Stevenson is already in a compulsory place to battle for the 126-pound world title held by Mexico’s Oscar Valdez, so he’s anticipated to both battle Valdez by the tip of the 12 months or he may battle for a vacant belt if Valdez strikes as much as the junior light-weight division as he has talked about doing.

Stevenson wish to battle Prime Rank stablemate Valdez for his title but in addition referred to as out world titleholder Josh Warrington of England.

“I believe it is that point,” he stated of combating for a title. “I’d like to go to England to battle Josh Warrington. We will do this in December. Let’s get it.”

Ultimate punch stats

FighterTotalJabsPowerStevenson32 of 67 (48%)9 of 22 (41%)23 of 45 (51%)Guevara5 of 51 (10%)Zero of 23 (Zero%)5 of 28 (18%)– Courtesy of CompuBox

Stevenson opened the battle because the aggressor in opposition to Guevara, who’s a counter puncher, and by no means slowed down. He landed physique photographs and lengthy proper jabs from his southpaw stance to take speedy management of the battle. Guevara had no solutions for Stevenson’s offense. Within the second spherical, Stevenson landed a left hand and proper to the physique to knock Guevara to a knee with 30 seconds to go. A straight left hand dropped him for the second time within the closing seconds of the spherical.

Stevenson (12-Zero, 7 KOs), 22, a 2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist, continued to dominate within the third spherical earlier than touchdown a four-punch mixture — two photographs to the physique adopted by a proper and left to the pinnacle — that dropped Guevara on his again. He tried to get to his ft however couldn’t beat the rely from referee David Fields, who waved the battle over at 2 minutes, 37 seconds.

“That was an excellent efficiency that I placed on for town of Newark,” Stevenson stated. “I am glad they got here out to assist me. Prime Rank, you all gotta give me higher competitors. I need the IBF and WBO titles.

“I shocked myself at the moment. I used to be going for the physique lots. He did not appear to be he was in form on the weight-in so I went to the physique and completed him off to the pinnacle.”

In response to CompuBox, Stevenson landed 32 of 67 punches (48 p.c) whereas Guevara related with solely 5 of 51 punches (10 p.c). Guevara, who took the battle on eight days’ discover, was the third opponent for this date for Stevenson. He was initially slated to battle Hairon Socarras (22-Zero-Three, 13 KOs) however he dropped out over numerous unspecified points and was changed by Franklin Manzanilla (18-5, 17 KOs), a former junior featherweight world title challenger, who withdrew final week claiming he had flu-like signs.

Guevara (27-5, 12 KOs), 28, of Mexico, a two-time bantamweight world title challenger, who had been coaching and was near the 126-pound weight restrict, accepted the battle with out hesitation. However he misplaced his second battle in a row, having been outpointed by former junior featherweight world titlist Hugo Ruiz in January.

Greer edges Potapov in eliminator

Within the co-feature, bantamweight Joshua Greer Jr. escaped with a majority choice over Nikolai Potapov (20-2-1, 11 KOs), 29, a Russia native combating out of New York, in a title eliminator, in a battle Potapov dominated for lengthy stretches. The gang booed the choice and ESPN analysts Andre Ward and Timothy Bradley Jr. each referred to as it a horrible choice, however Greer (21-1-1, 12 KOs), 25, of Chicago, nonetheless moved a step nearer to a shot at a world title.

One choose scored the battle 114-114 however the different two gave it to Greer by scores of 116-112 and 115-113.

“He is very awkward with the Russian fashion however on the finish of the day, that is the professionals. I pulled it out,” Greer stated. “The booing did not hassle me. I do know I received the battle. Each time I hit him to the physique, I harm him. I did not get the knockout, however I acquired the win.”

Ultimate punch stats

FighterTotalJabsPowerGreer160 of 424 (38%)44 of 155 (28%)116 of 269 (43%)Potapov139 of 638 (22%)49 of 371 (13%)90 of 267 (34%)– Courtesy of CompuBox

The battle started slowly with every man seeking to get inside however ultimately Potapov started choosing off Greer’s punches and countering him effectively. Greer acquired tagged repeatedly with proper fingers and confirmed no potential to regulate after getting clocked with the identical punch again and again. A proper hand from Greer shook Potapov within the closing seconds of the fifth spherical nevertheless it was a fleeting motion.

By the eighth spherical, Potapov had given Greer bloody nostril and gave the impression to be in management. Greer coach John Pullman confirmed ample concern about how the battle going after the ninth spherical when he informed Greer that he wanted to choose up the tempo. Greer had a great 10th spherical and appeared to harm Potapov with left hook to the physique. Pullman begged Greer for a giant 12th spherical and whereas he did not ship a giant one, he received it on all three scorecards to realize the victory.

In response to CompuBox, Greer landed 160 of 424 punches (38 p.c) and Potapov related with 139 of 638 (22 p.c).

“We really feel we acquired robbed, as do boxing followers,” stated Dmitriy Salita, Potapov’s promoter. “ESPN and the media had Nikolai profitable. We’re going to attraction the choice. ESPN is a good platform for the game of boxing. We’re grateful for the chance and what’s simply. Nikolai received the battle.”

With the win, Greer moved a step nearer to a compulsory shot on the 118-pound world title held by Naoya Inoue, the most effective pound-for-pound fighters on this planet, who subsequent will meet Nonito Donaire within the finals of the World Boxing Tremendous Collection event this fall. Potapov’s solely earlier loss got here when he stop after seven rounds in opposition to former world titlist Omar Narvaez in 2017.

Extra undercard outcomes

• Junior welterweight Josue Vargas (14-1, 9 KOs), 21, a Puerto Rico native combating out of the Bronx, New York, received his eighth battle in a row as he stopped Manuel Lopez (14-Four-1, 7 KOs), 28, of Denver, at 2 minutes, 50 seconds of the seventh spherical of their scheduled eight-rounder. He was battering him with clear photographs, together with a number of uppercuts, when referee Sparkle Lee stepped in.

• Junior middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. (1-Zero, 1 KO), son of promoter Vito Mielnicki, grew to become the primary New Jersey boxer to show professional on the age of 17 — he was given a particular exemption by the New Jersey State Athletic Management Board — and received by first-round knockout of Mississippi’s Tamarcus Smith (2-Three, 2 KOs), 24.

Mielnicki, who offered some 500 tickets, knocked Smith chilly with a mixture that concluded with a proper hand at 1 minute, 16 seconds.

• Junior welterweight Julian Rodriguez (17-Zero, 11 KOs), 24, of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, returned from an almost two-year layoff, brought about primarily by accidents, to attain a first-round knockout of Hevinson Herrera (24-18-1, 18 KOs), 34, of Colombia, who misplaced his third battle in a row.

Rodriguez, generally known as “Hammer Fingers,” wanted solely 59 seconds as he planted Herrera on the mat with a mixture for the total rely from referee Lee.

“I used to be very assured in my preparation, so I felt like I needed to go in there and do what I needed to do,” Rodriguez stated. “That is what (the followers) like about me. After they come right here, they see a present.”

• Junior welterweight John Bauza (13-Zero, 5 KOs), 21, of North Bergen, New Jersey, beat and battered the sport Angel Sarinana (10-9-2, Four KOs), 26, of Mexico, in shutout choice victory. There was loads of motion however Bauza received 80-72 on all three scorecards.

• Tremendous middleweight Vijender Singh (11-Zero, eight KOs), 33, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist from India and his nation’s solely boxing medalist, returned from a 19-month layoff to attain a fourth-round knockout of Mike Snider (13-6-Three, eight KOs), 38, of Flemington, West Virginia.

Singh almost dropped Snider within the second spherical and as he hammered him throughout the fourth spherical referee Shada Murdaugh stopped it at 1 minute, 23 seconds.

“It was wonderful getting again within the ring after a very long time off. It is nice to be right here within the USA and to get the win. It was actually thrilling,” Singh stated. “It took me about 4 rounds to get again within the swing of issues. I anticipated it to take two or three rounds, nevertheless it took me 4. I felt good.”

• Light-weight prospect Joseph Adorno (13-Zero, 11 KOs), 20, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, knocked out Adriano Ramirez (10-Four, 6 KOs), 35, of the Dominican Republic, within the second spherical of their scheduled eight-rounder. Adorno despatched Ramirez to the canvas with a left hook after which dropped him once more with a follow-up mixture and referee Lee waved off the battle at 1 minute, 12 seconds.