Shakur Stevenson feels he proved a point to former two-division champ Timothy Bradley, who criticized him during ESPN’s telecasts for how he fought Nakathila, and others.
The 2016 Olympic silver medalist basically beat up the 35-year-old Herring for nine-plus rounds, opened cuts over both of Herring’s eyes and prompted referee Mark Nelson to step between them halfway through the 10th round to mercifully end their scheduled 12-round championship match.
“I feel like I got dog in me,” Stevenson said during his post-fight press conference. “Like people gotta understand that, too. I’m from Newark, New Jersey. I always had dog in me. I don’t know why people always just think I don’t got no dog in me because I dominate and make it look easy. I got both sides in me. I could do both. I could box, I could fight. I’m more than just a boxer.”
The 24-year-old Stevenson acknowledged that Bradley’s criticism remained in the back of his mind once he entered the ring at State Farm Arena.
He was determined to demonstrate that he could do more than defend himself masterfully and score points while mostly boxing off of his back foot.
“Oh yeah, most definitely,” Stevenson said. “At the end of the day, that’s what I was thinking in the fight. I’m like, ‘Man, I’m not gonna back up.’ It was times when he tried to pick it up on me. I’m like, ‘OK, I’m still gonna stand here. I’m not gonna go nowhere. I’m gonna stand my ground and, when it’s time, I’m gonna pick it back up on him.’ ”
