Emiliano Vargas Says Body Shots Can Trouble Shakur Stevenson Emiliano Vargas, the 21-year-old ranked #5 by the WBO at junior welterweight, has already begun strategizing how to challenge Shakur Stevenson despite the latter’s recent dominance in the division. Stevenson’s rise to prominence accelerated after his decisive victory over Teofimo Lopez in January, where he captured the WBO 140-pound title. The win solidified Stevenson’s status as a top contender, but Vargas remains confident he can exploit weaknesses in the champion’s game. Vargas, who has been moving quickly through the ranks, acknowledged Stevenson’s performance against Lopez but emphasized that the fight was not without vulnerabilities. “Shakur looked amazing in his last fight, he honestly surprised me and a lot of other people,” Vargas told Ring Magazine. However, he pointed to Stevenson’s reliance on body shots as a potential weakness. “Teofimo was doing a great job when he was going to the body, and really, after that, he had his moments to the body, and then Shakur would keep him on the outside,” Vargas explained. The Mexican prospect believes that targeting Stevenson’s torso could disrupt his rhythm and create openings. “Shakur even said it himself, that he got hit with a body shot one time, and he wanted to throw up. I have been hit in the body before, and it doesn’t feel good. So, I think that no fighters like body shots,” Vargas said to The Ring. This strategy reflects Vargas’s belief that Stevenson’s physicality and defensive adjustments could be exploited if the fight ever materializes. Despite Vargas’s confidence, Stevenson’s performance against Lopez was nothing short of dominant. The champion controlled the fight from start to finish, winning all three rounds on the judges’ scorecards and showcasing superior power and stamina.#wbo #teofimo_lopez #emiliano_vargas #ring_magazine #shakur_stevenson
Rising Star with 80% KO Ratio Says He Has the Key to Beat Shakur Stevenson Undefeated southpaw Shakur Stevenson, who became super-lightweight world champion in January, faces a potential challenge from rising contender Emiliano Vargas, who claims to understand how to defeat the Newark fighter. Stevenson secured the WBO super-lightweight title by outpointing Teofimo Lopez in a world-class performance, marking his rise as a four-division world champion. However, his plans to return to lightweight were disrupted when he was stripped of his WBC 135lb title. Despite rumors of a potential welterweight move to face Ryan Garcia or Conor Benn, those matchups have shifted, with Garcia and Benn set to meet instead. Stevenson remains at super-lightweight for now. Vargas, a 21-year-old ranked #5 contender in the WBO, spoke to Ring Magazine about Stevenson’s vulnerabilities. He acknowledged Stevenson’s excellence in his recent fight against Lopez but emphasized a specific weakness. “Shakur looked amazing in his last fight, he honestly surprised me and a lot of other people so I give my kudos to him,” Vargas said. He noted that Stevenson’s strategy of keeping opponents at a distance leaves him exposed to body shots. “Shakur even said it himself, that he got hit with a body shot one time and he wanted to throw up. I have been hit to the body before and it doesn’t feel good. So, I think that no fighters like body shots.” Vargas believes targeting Stevenson’s body could exploit his defensive approach, which has been effective against some opponents. His comments suggest a potential future matchup, though the timing remains unclear. As the WBO’s #5 contender, Vargas could be given a title shot if Stevenson’s reign continues.#wbo #shakur_stevenson #emiliano_vargas #ring_magazine #newark
