As the October 12th showdown in Riyadh between WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and former IBF super featherweight champion Joe Cordina approaches, some are beginning to question whether Stevenson might be more vulnerable than many believe. Cordina’s powerful right hand could be the key to an upset if he can land it cleanly against the undefeated Stevenson.

Cordina is often underestimated by fans who may not fully appreciate the threat he poses to a fighter like Stevenson. There have been murmurs in boxing circles about Stevenson’s susceptibility to big punches, with some suggesting that his cautious fighting style might be a sign of a less-than-iron chin. Shakur’s defensive approach, which often sees him fighting on the back foot, might be a strategy to protect himself from getting hurt, a tactic that could backfire against a puncher like Cordina.

Shakur’s past sparring sessions have fueled rumors of his vulnerability. Notably, there were whispers that Australian puncher Liam Paro hurt Stevenson during sparring, raising questions about Shakur’s ability to withstand power shots. Cordina, 32, has shown he can deliver devastating knockouts, like his one-punch KO of Kenichi Ogawa in June 2022. However, it’s been two years since Cordina scored a knockout, leading to speculation about whether he still possesses the same power or confidence to deliver such a blow.

Watch Cordina vs. Ogawa highlights: Watch

If Cordina can land his signature right hand, it could spell disaster for Stevenson. A shot like the one Cordina landed on Ogawa could potentially knock Stevenson out cold, as few fighters can withstand that kind of power. This fight might expose whether Stevenson’s defense-first style is a calculated strategy or a sign of underlying vulnerability that Cordina could exploit.

Looking beyond the Cordina fight, Stevenson’s next challenge might be even more daunting. Assuming he gets past Cordina, Stevenson is expected to face WBC #1-ranked contender William Zepeda in early 2025.

Read more about the fearless Shakur here.

Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing