Boxing possesses a captivating and uncertain nature, which simultaneously contributes to its confusion and unnecessary complexity. The sport’s unpredictability lies in the fact that every victory holds equal importance, yet there exist numerous ways for a boxer to achieve it. Consequently, certain wins may feel more triumphant, while others resemble defeats rather than accomplishments deserving of celebration.
Each of them experienced a different feeling of triumph yesterday (July 6), as heavyweight Johnny Fisher, lightweight Shakur Stevenson, and super-featherweight Robson Conceicao all secured significant victories.
Heavyweight Johnny Fisher, with a record of 12-0 (11), proved his dominance with a swift victory over Alen Babic at London’s Copper Box. The fight lasted a mere 36 seconds, with Fisher effortlessly defeating his opponent without sustaining any damage. His impressive streak of four first-round stoppages in his last six fights showcases his ability to deliver quick and powerful blows. While Fisher may not possess refined technical skills, his aggressive style and determination to land heavy shots early on captivate audiences. This has resulted in a rapidly growing fan base for the 25-year-old fighter.
Babic is stopped by Fisher (Henry Browne/Getty Images)
In a different location, specifically New Jersey, Shakur Stevenson, a significantly more talented individual compared to Fisher, once again displayed his skills by defeating Artem Harutyunyan over the course of 12 rounds to maintain his WBC lightweight championship. Essentially, it took Stevenson a total of 36 minutes to accomplish what Fisher had managed to achieve in a mere 36 seconds earlier in the day.
Naturally, both men emerged victorious, but their paths to success diverged greatly in terms of speed and approach. While Fisher exuded intensity and urgency, Stevenson, in his customary manner, relied on poise and patience, exemplifying and evaluating these traits. Similar to England’s football team, the Newark native opted to eschew needless risks or entertainment in his pursuit of a knockout victory. As a result, each round unfolded in a repetitive manner, causing spectators both in the arena and at home to struggle to stay engaged as the fight neared its end.
Unfortunately, it appears that Shakur Stevenson’s current approach is set in stone, and no matter how much we criticize it, he remains unchanged. Moreover, given his impressive record of 22 wins with 10 knockouts, who are we to question his methods?
Nevertheless, despite these circumstances, the cautious strategy employed by the 27-year-old has undeniably hindered his career. For instance, Top Rank is seemingly prepared to sever ties with him after his most recent fight, which also marks the end of his current contract. They have advised him to explore other options, confident that no other promoter will meet his demands.
Although Stevenson is undoubtedly talented, it is uncertain whether he will attract potential buyers due to his marketability and selling power, be it through ticket sales or pay-per-view. It is possible that the best way to fully utilize Stevenson’s potential and increase his earning capacity is to strategically match him against formidable opponents who have at least a 50/50 chance of defeating him. This way, a victory for Stevenson, regardless of how it is achieved, will be seen as noteworthy and deserving of recognition and admiration.
However, at present and as long as Stevenson continues to face challengers such as Artem Harutyunyan, it becomes evident that both his fights and his career are gradually fading away, reminiscent of fans leaving the arena amidst a chorus of disapproval.
Stevenson secures victory over Harutyunyan with a higher score.
Speaking about boos, Robson Conceicao will undoubtedly be haunted by their sound when he reflects on his victory over O’Shaquie Foster for the WBC super-featherweight title last night in Newark. Despite his attempts to convince himself that a win is a win, the boos that typically follow a controversial decision will overpower any illusions or attempts to rewrite the truth. Even when he looks at his record on BoxRec.com and sees a victorious “W” next to O’Shaquie Foster’s name, Conceicao, with a record of 19-2-1 (9), will struggle immensely to silence the boos and dismiss the notion that his ineffective aggression, often appealing to uninformed judges, ultimately won him a fight he didn’t rightfully earn.
Ron McNair, a judge, gave a score of 116-112 in favor of Foster, which aligned with the majority opinion of those witnessing the fight in real time. Nevertheless, Tony Lundy and Paul Wallace’s scores of 116-112 and 115-113, respectively, surpassed McNair’s viewpoint as they favored Conceicao’s front-foot technique.
It is not Conceicao’s fault that they made such a mistake. He was simply doing his best with what he knew. Additionally, one could argue that if anyone deserves some leniency regarding questionable scoring, it would be someone like Conceicao who has previously experienced controversial decisions. He understands the feeling of losing a fight while believing he won, and now, winning a fight but feeling like he lost. In that sense, he has fully experienced all the emotions that boxing, this manipulative and unpredictable sport, has to offer.
Foster is targeted by Conceicao’s aggression.
