Disappointing Fight Leaves Fans Unimpressed
It is safe to say that the recent WBC lightweight championship bout between Shakur Stevenson and Edwin De Los Santos was a major letdown. Fans and critics alike have expressed their disappointment, with many calling it the worst fight they have ever seen. As a long-time fan of the sport, I can't help but agree.
One of the main issues with the fight was the lack of action. Both fighters failed to throw many punches, leaving the audience bored and unengaged. What made matters worse was Stevenson's apparent disinterest in engaging with his opponent. Instead of putting on a show for the fans, he seemed content to fight on autopilot.
This lackluster performance may have serious consequences for Stevenson's reputation. While he may have won the fight, his unwillingness to put in the effort and entertain the crowd could have a lasting impact. It's hard to imagine anyone wanting to watch him fight if this is the approach he chooses to take.
Tough Choices for Boxer Stevenson
It’s a tough situation to be in, frankly. A boxer’s job is to win while trying not to get hurt. No one needs to be reminded of what a dangerous sport that is, so it’s hard to fault a fighter for playing it safe. On the other hand, playing it safe is not always appealing to an audience. Floyd Mayweather could pull it off. Pernell Whitaker could pull it off. Willie Pep could pull it off. They, however, may be about it. Muhammad Ali and Ray Leonard, after all, were able to turn out the lights as well as engage in slick fighting. The same goes for Ray Robinson.
And Stevenson is left with a choice. Should he continue to engage in sleep inducing fights, even occasionally, he can say good by to being a big name. That would admittedly be unfortunate, as the man is a world class talent, but no one is going to watch another outing like the one they did on Thursday evening. With that being said, Stevenson himself has referred to his “bad performance” on Thursday, so it’s obvious even he wasn’t satisfied with his work. The thing for the New Jersey native to do now (if he wants to be a popular ring attraction) is to get back in the ring soon, not in six months. Soon. The quicker people forget about this last bout, the better for his career.
Not only Stevenson, but De Los Santos also failed to captivate the audience with their lackluster performance on Thursday. What's even more disappointing is that ESPN decided to start the Stevenson-De Los Santos fight at midnight on the east coast. ESPN should consider their options going forward and not keep fans up until midnight just to hear the opening bell of a main event without a valid reason.
