Via Brian Webber: Shakur Stevenson – Shuichiro Yoshino will face off against each other in the WBC lightweight title qualifier two months from now on April 8 in the main event for the title against undisputed champion Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney .
Stevenson-Yoshino will be at the top of a Top ranked promotion card loaded at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Stevenson (19-0.9 KO) noted what Bill Haney said last week about Devin planning to stay at 135 for all of 2023, defending his four lightweight belts against every opponent and he is talking to him.
It would be a huge disappointment if Haney chooses to vacate his four titles to replace winner Stevenson versus Yoshino after he faces 34-year-old Vasyl Lomachenko on May 20.
Shakur & Yoshino wanted to fight Haney for all four belts rather than have the titles scattered, with him deciding to move up to 140 after facing Lomachenko in May.
It’s hard to know what Haney’s next move will be if he gets past Lomachenko because he’s kept quiet about his intentions. If Haney commits to fighting winner Stevenson versus Yoshino, he will be widely criticized for failing to do so.
Unfortunately, without one of these two talented contenders taking the required route with the World Boxing Council, they wouldn’t have won the title against Haney.
While Haney and his dad Bill talk about getting ready to face the best at 135, we’ve yet to see that happen. Haney’s best victories have come with this vulnerable group: Jorge Linares, George Kambosos Jr and Joseph Diaz Jr.
Not much is known about 31-year-old Shuichiro Yoshino, who is as powerful as the average boxing fan as he has been toiling under the radar of fighting in his native Japan during his eight-year professional career. me.
This will be Yoshino’s debut party on April 8 when he’ll face off against stunt star Shakur Stevenson at 10:00pm ET/7:00pm PT, live on ESPNESPN Deportes and ESPN+.
“I am honored to be fighting in America for the first time. I am extremely focused and motivated,” said Yoshino. “I am looking forward to playing the great champion of the two divisions, Shakur Stevenson, in his hometown of Newark. I will train hard before the game and look forward to giving the fans an exciting win!”
