The Boxer vs. The Puncher: Who Will Win the Stevenson-de los Santos WBA Lightweight Title Fight?
Shakur Stevenson is only 26 years old. A little over seven years ago the New Jersey native was receiving the bantamweight silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics as a 19-year-old. Since then, he’s undefeated in 20 professional fights and is already a two-weight world boxing champion. On Thursday, 16 November in Las Vegas, he could add a third weight division world title to his list of accomplishments.
“Sugar” Stevenson’s opponent for the vacant WBC Lightweight crown is the highly-rated Dominican Edwin de los Santos. When the bell rings to start the title fight, “La Grenada” will enter the ring for only his 34th round of professional boxing.
Ten of those rounds came in de los Santos’ last fight, a unanimous points win over Joseph Adorno in Atlantic City in July. His only defeat, a 2022 split-decision loss against William Foster III in Orlando, accounts for another eight. The remaining nine fights of de los Santos’ fledgling pro career make up the remaining 15 rounds. They were all either TKO or KO stoppage wins within the first three rounds of boxing.
Who is the Favorite?
Stevenson is the favorite for the encounter on all of the best online sportsbook platforms, with average odds of -1000 on offer. He will have to use his lightning-quick footwork to keep out of range of de los Santos’ proven punching power and quick one-twos for the first few rounds. Thereafter, if the bookmakers are correct, he’ll be able to prove his superior boxing ability.
Those bookmakers are offering odds of +600 on the Dominican underdog. Even with an undefeated record, Shakur Stevenson isn’t taking his opponent lightly. He remains confident, though.
“Edwin de los Santos is a good fighter and he’s going to come to fight. I give him credit for actually taking this fight when so many other so-called fighters ran from it. … I’m the biggest boogeyman in boxing, and on November 16, the world will see why when I put on another great performance for the fans.”
William Foster III’s Opinion
It appears that de los Santos is willing to let his boxing do the talking, but he’s taking a step up in class by fighting Stevenson. Two fights against opponents of similar quality to the undefeated American both went the distance, with the only man to beat him, William Foster III, offering his own opinion on the upcoming Lightweight clash.
“I would want [de los Santos] to win. He defeats Stevenson and he’s top dog at 135 (Lightweight). It only takes one shot to catch someone off guard and to finish the fight. But I think it’ll be a very good fight.”
As Foster III confirms with his comments, it will likely take a knockdown for Edwin de los Santos to beat Stevenson for the title. A big punching underdog is always worth watching in the betting, though, as many firm favorites have been undone by a single blow in the past. Shakur Stevenson has the edge, but will need to be on his toes come next Thursday.
