A notable night for the sport of boxing unfolded in Queens, New York, featuring two significant bouts that delivered decisive outcomes and provided clarity in their respective divisions. The evening showcased a technical masterclass in the lightweight division followed by a power-punching statement higher up the weight classes.
Stevenson Executes Masterclass Against Relentless Zepeda
In the co-main event, Shakur Stevenson (now 24-0, 11 KOs) successfully defended his WBC lightweight championship against William Zepeda (33-1, 27 KOs). The fight was billed with the expectation that Stevenson might need to prove his mettle and potentially engage more than in previous outings. He largely delivered on this promise, albeit without securing the knockout he had hinted at.
Stevenson showcased a comprehensive boxing clinic over twelve rounds. Opting to largely stand his ground against Zepeda`s notorious high-volume attack, Stevenson demonstrated exceptional defensive skill, blocking or parrying a significant portion of incoming punches on his arms and shoulders. He countered Zepeda`s aggression with precise body jabs, sharp uppercuts, and fluid combination punching that found their mark with remarkable accuracy.
While Zepeda was undeniably relentless, constantly pushing forward and throwing punches, his efforts seldom translated into truly troubling moments for the champion. There was perhaps a hard right hand landed by Zepeda in the third round that drew attention, but it failed to fundamentally alter the course of the fight. Stevenson remained composed and in control, navigating the storm of punches with technical superiority.
The official scorecards reflected Stevenson`s dominance, with two judges scoring the bout 118-110 and one rendering a 119-109 tally, all firmly in favor of the defending champion. Stevenson`s performance effectively silenced critics who questioned his excitement factor, proving that he possesses the versatility to engage when strategically advantageous, cementing his status as a premier main event attraction.
Sheeraz Stops Berlanga in Powerful Performance
Following the lightweight title defense, the main event featured Hamzah Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) taking on Edgar Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs). Sheeraz, moving up in weight for this contest, aimed to rebound from a recent split draw and re-establish his reputation as a formidable finisher. He did so with emphatic force.
Sheeraz delivered a powerful performance that proved too much for Berlanga. The turning point arrived dramatically in the fourth round, where Sheeraz scored two knockdowns, putting Berlanga in significant trouble. Demonstrating his finishing instincts, Sheeraz continued the assault in the fifth round, prompting the referee to halt the contest, securing a stoppage victory.
For Berlanga, known for his extraordinary start to his career with sixteen consecutive first-round knockouts, this fight highlighted a recent trend where definitive finishes have been harder to come by, with only two stoppages in his last eight outings. This loss follows a unanimous decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez last September, marking another setback in his trajectory.
Sheeraz, on the other hand, successfully resumed his knockout-winning ways after the recent draw, making a strong statement in a new weight class and positioning himself for further significant challenges.
Overall, the night in Queens delivered clear results: a demonstration of technical boxing brilliance from Shakur Stevenson and a display of potent stopping power from Hamzah Sheeraz, shaping the landscape of their respective divisions going forward.