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
Keyshawn Davis announces move to welterweight for championship challenge Keyshawn Davis has confirmed plans to transition to welterweight in preparation for a championship fight, marking a significant shift in his career. The 27-year-old boxer, known as “The Businessman,” revealed during an interview with FightHub that he has secured a date for a title bout at 147 pounds, signaling his intent to compete at a higher weight class. Davis was stripped of his WBO lightweight world title earlier this year after failing to meet the weight requirement for his scheduled first defense against Edwin De Los Santos in June. Following the loss, he moved up to super-lightweight, where he secured a decisive knockout victory over Jamaine Ortiz in the final round of their bout, which took place on the undercard of the Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson event. After the win, Davis publicly called out reigning WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney, prompting a potential matchup. Although Haney initially agreed to the fight, negotiations eventually stalled, leaving the door open for Davis to remain at 140 pounds. However, in his recent interview, Davis clarified that he is now focused on a championship fight at 147 pounds. “I definitely got a response [from the people I called out] and I definitely got a date too,” Davis said. “I’m telling y’all that right now, and I’m definitely coming back sooner than y’all think. That’s why you seen me doing a little politic in the gym. It’s politic, but I am staying sharp, for real. Don’t get that f*ed up, I am staying sharp. I got something coming up. I think that I am moving up [to 147lbs]. Yep, [for a championship fight].” The decision to move up in weight comes as Haney’s schedule appears to be filling with other high-profile bouts.#keyshawn_davis #fighthub #devin_haney #wbo #teofimo_lopez
