Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs), the former Olympic silver medalist, is not a fighter many are eager to face in the ring. Regardless of his opponents, Stevenson has consistently made his fights appear effortless. After defeating Oscar Valdez in April 2022, Stevenson’s unified championship reign ended due to his struggles on the scale. Needing a change, Stevenson officially moved up in weight and faced Shiuchiro Yoshino in the lightweight division about a month ago.
In a bout at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Stevenson demonstrated his prowess as a former two-division world titlist by breaking down his opponent, ultimately securing a sixth-round stoppage victory. Watching this unfold, Jamaine Ortiz took notes, eager for an opportunity to share the ring with the pound-for-pound star himself. “I’m definitely pressing for it,” Ortiz said in an interview with YSM Sports Media. “I want the fight.”
Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs), 26, has been biding his time following the best year of his young career. He began 2022 with a close yet decisive unanimous decision victory against Jamel Herring before facing former lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko. Despite some promising moments, the Puerto Rican fighter ultimately tasted defeat. Now, with his skills honed, Ortiz is hopeful that Top Rank, his promotional company, will offer him a contract. His ultimate goal is to face Stevenson before 2023 comes to an end, saying, “Hopefully by the end of the year, we can get it on.”
Image Credit: Sky Sports