On Saturday night in Atlanta, 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Shakur Stevenson (17-0, 9 KOs) passed the biggest test of his career with flying colors on Saturday night, stopping Jamel Herring (23-0, 11 KOs) in the 10th round to become the new WBO junior lightweight (130 lbs) champion. It’s the second world title of Stevenson’s career, but the previous one was for a vacant belt at 126 lbs so this is the first instance of him dethroning a champ.
Stevenson’s fast hands, sharp combinations, and all-around boxing skill proved too much for a determined but overmatched Herring. Only one judge gave Herring a round, and while Jamel’s best moments came when the fight was on the inside, Shakur proved more than formidable there too.