WBO super featherweight champion Jamel ‘Semper Fi’ Herring 23-2 (11) says Shakur ‘Fearless’ Stevenson 16-0 (8) could be a future star in boxing, but not right now.
The southpaw duo will meet at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on October 23.
The 35-year-old Herring from Cincinnati, Ohio won the WBO strap from Japan’s Masayuki Ito 27-3-1 (15) by 12-round decision in Kissimmee, Florida in May 2019.
He was successfully defended the title three times, including an impressive sixth-round knockout of former two-weight world champion Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton 28-3 (16) in Dubai last April. The loss effectively retired the Irishman.
The slick boxing Stevenson, 24, will be having his fourth bout at 130-pounds after previously winning the vacant WBO featherweight title against then-undefeated Joet Gonzalez 24-1 (14) by unanimous decision in Reno, Nevada in October 2019. Stevenson barely lost a round.
Despite Stevenson’s success, Herring says he still needs more seasoning.
“They’re making Shakur out to be the future superstar, but again, maybe he will be a future star in his own right, but right now, we’re focusing on the now,” Herring said.
“I still feel like I have things to prove to myself, and I’m just going to go out and do what I have to do.”
Stevenson sees Herring as just another steppingstone to greatness and views October as something of a lucky month.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to be back here fighting for another world title,” Stevenson said.
“My last word title, I fought in October (against Gonzalez). This world title, I fight in October.
“It’s going to be no different. I’m coming here to dominate… at the end of the day, I’m coming in there to handle business and I’m going to make sure I win.”
Promoter Bob Arum is expecting the matchup to bring out the best of both boxers.
“We have the champion, Jamel Herring, who is a real tough, tough guy. You don’t serve two tours of duty as a Marine in Iraq unless you’re a tough guy,” the Top Rank boss said.
“The knock on Jamel had been he didn’t have much punching power. But he showed that he did when he recently stopped the great Frampton.
“I know that he is poised and ready for this fight, and you’ll see ‘The Fighting Marine’ in action.
“Now, it’s no easy task for him because he faces the young man that many of us in boxing have been touting for years as being the new face of boxing, the new star in boxing, the guy who will beat everybody on his way to superstar glory.
“And so far, Shakur Stevenson has demonstrated that ability. He knows this is a tough fight, but he always comes prepared.
“I guarantee you all that you will be seeing a tremendous, competitive main event on Oct. 23.”
