Two unbeaten super featherweights will meet on the last Saturday in April in one of the best fights among lighter fighters scheduled for 2022. Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson (17-0 with nine knockouts) will take on Oscar Valdez (30-0 with 23 knockouts). Stevenson is currently the WBO super featherweight champion, while Valdez is the WBC super featherweight champion. A victory for Stevenson might lead to a move up to lightweight and a potential showdown with either George Kambosos Jr. or Gervonta Davis.
Shakur Stevenson and Oscar Valdez will square off to partially unify the super featherweight division on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This bout will be available through DAZN in the United States.
When: Saturday, April 30, 2022
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Why: WBC and WBO super featherweight belts
Shakur Stevenson vs Oscar Valdez Betting Odds
Shakur Stevenson -615
Oscar Valdez +413
Although both of these boxers are unbeaten coming into this fight, Shakur Stevenson is a significant favorite by the boxing betting odds. For those unfamiliar with betting on boxing, a $615 bet on Stevenson would be needed to win $100 if he were to have his arm raised. A $100 bet on Valdez would return a $413 profit if he were to pull off the upset.
As the fight nears, there will be decision betting too. You will be able to bet on whether the fight is decided by KO, TKO, or decision, and you can bet on which boxer will win the fight in that fashion as well.
Shakur Stevenson vs Oscar Valdez Preview
Shakur Stevenson has been heralded as one of the next great boxers since he was an amateur. He was the most highly touted boxer ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and he won a silver medal before turning pro. Stevenson doesn’t get the same attention as heavier fighters though because of his slight stature.
We saw Stevenson beat up on his fair share of cream puffs as he was very young when he turned pro. He was showcased on the undercard of fights involving Vasiliy Lomachenko and Terence Crawford though due to his potential.
Stevenson’s first big fight came three years ago when he faced Jessie Cris Rosales to win two minor titles and move to 10-0. He defeated Christopher Diaz and Alberto Guevara to set up a title fight with Joet Gonzalez, and he scored a unanimous decision win over Gonzalez to grab the WBO featherweight belt.
That led to Stevenson moving up a division in order to find new foes. He beat his first two opponents to challenge Jeremiah Nakathila for the interim WBO super featherweight belt last June, and he won that fight. The WBO quickly set up a showdown for the regular title, and Stevenson beat Jamel Herring to claim the title.
Oscar Valdez was a very decorated amateur fighter in his own right. Valdez won a bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships as a featherweight, and he turned pro in November 2002. He knocked out his first 11 opponents, and he had 19 knockouts in his first 21 fights as a pro.
Valdez defeated Matias Rueda in the second round for the WBO featherweight belt in July 2016. He successfully defended that title six times before vacating it instead of facing mandatory challenger Stevenson in late 2019. Valdez was able to win the WBC super featherweight title over Miguel Berchelt in February 2021 though and successfully defended the title against Robson Conceicao.
Stevenson doesn’t have a lot of knockout power, but he is a more skilled fighter that has the height and reach advantage. Valdez is 5’5 with a 66-inch reach, while Stevenson is 5’8 with a 68-inch reach. His defensive skill will make it challenging for Valdez to get inside and get the win.
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