Deals are being made to bring championship fights to the ring this spring in the world of boxing. According to a report from Mike Coppinger of ESPN, a title fight between Shakur Stevenson and Óscar Valdez Jr. has become a hot topic within the last few weeks. If negotiations move forward, the title fight will likely take place in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 30 at the MGM Grand.
Stevenson last fought in Atlanta, Georgia on October 23, 2021. In a dominant, ten-round performance, the Newark, New Jersey native defeated Jamel Herring to win the WBO Junior Lightweight Title.
Valdez Jr. is a two-division champion out of Mexico who fought twice last year. In February, he knocked out Miguel Berchelt in the 10th round to win the WBC Super Featherweight Title. Seven months later, he earned a unanimous decision against Robson Conceição in Tucson, Arizona.
The winner of the unification bout will likely pursue a fight with 126-pound champion Emanuel Navarrete or look to pick up the two other belts in the division. On the outside looking in, former 130-pound champion Vasiliy Lomachenko has suggested that he’d be interested in fighting a four-belt, undisputed titleholder in the junior lightweight division.
