Predictions for Shakur Stevenson vs Felix Caraballo

Predictions from boxing experts for Shakur Stevenson vs Felix Caraballo

Top Rank on ESPN returns on Tuesday, June 9, as WBO featherweight world champion Shakur ‘Fearless’ Stevenson (13-0, 7KOs) takes on Puerto Rican contender Felix ‘La Sombra’ Caraballo (13-1-2, 9KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight encounter at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

As live boxing makes its long-awaited return, Boxing News Now reached out to their panel of experts to gather their views on this fight between a world champion and a hard-hitting contender making his US debut fight:

Jordan Bright
Boxing News Now Editor

“A huge fight for Caraballo, there is no doubt this is a huge task given his opponent is WBO World featherweight champion. Shakur Stevenson will know his opponent’s game plan and this shouldn’t be a huge challenge for Stevenson. His opponent on June 9 has only lost one pro fight in his career, and so the 22-year-old should be cautious going into this one. However, I think this fight won’t go any further than 6 rounds, with Stevenson winning via knock out.

Stevenson has faced tougher opponents in his 13 career bouts, so I anticipate that this fight should end in the same fashion for the American. Now world champion, you wouldn’t expect anything else besides a first-class performance. That being said, both fighters haven’t fought for a while in which may leave both boxers a little sluggish in regards to how they perform.

Furthermore, I’m expecting the fight to only end in one way and that is Shakur winning by Knock-out in the sixth round. Given he is only 22, the American is on the rise and this will be just the start of what is to come in 2020 for Shakur.”

Paul Stevenson
Everton Red Triangle Head Coach

"I see this as being a very routine job for Shakur Stevenson.

Caraballo seemed very ordinary the couple of times I’ve seen him, I can’t see what he could bring to trouble the champion. Carabello is a pretty straightforward boxer so he may be usable for trying out ideas on but not much else if I’m honest."

Tim Rickson
Sports Agent

“WBO World featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson hasn’t put a foot wrong yet in his pro career. His 14th opponent, Felix Caraballo, is only once-beaten and his two draws were mixed and split decisions in his first two fights way back in 2014. That said, the southpaw champion shouldn’t have any trouble dealing with this Puerto Rican challenger. I think that strong and awkward backhand of his knocks out Caraballo out in the first half of the fight.

It’s a huge step up for Caraballo and there’s little evidence to suggest that he will be able to cope at this level. Stevenson has stopped harder opponents than Caraballo, so I fully expect an early stoppage win for him, and to remain unbeaten.

However, the unfamiliar times, lack of sparring and proper training camps could affect either one of these fighters in any way. At only 22, an Olympic silver medallist and now a world champion, I don’t actually expect anything less than a stellar performance from Shakur, but it’s still worth noting that boxers could return from the pandemic a little less sharp.

After 17 years of boxing, I don’t expect this to occur with Shakur. He is a Youth Olympic and World champion and one of the hottest talents in boxing right now. It’s crazy to think he’s still just 22-years-old! I tip him to be a pound-for-pound top 15 boxer one day soon.”

Check out the full preview of the fight HERE

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