Featherweight titleholder Shakur Stevenson reportedly has an opponent for the tentative June 9 restart of boxing.
Stevenson is scheduled to face Felix Caraballo on the Top Rank card in Las Vegas, co-manager Andre Ward revealed on ESPN Saturday. The show must still be approved by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
ESPN will televise the event. No site has been announced.
“Obviously, he’s excited,” said Ward, speaking between classic fights airing on the network. “He wants to get back in the ring, a throwback mentality type of fighter even though he’s a young fighter. He’s working out in the gym now. He’s excited to get back in the ring by early June.
“He recently just had an opponent change because his opponent is in Mexico and having issues getting over. He’s now facing, I believe it’s Felix Caraballo.”
Stevenson, a silver medalist in the 2016 Olympics, won a vacant 126-pound belt when he easily outpointed Joet Gonzalez in October. That was Stevenson’s most recent fight.
Caraballo (13-1-2, 9 KOs) has won five fights since his only loss but the Puerto Rican has never fought outside his country, has been in only one scheduled 10-round fight and has never faced anyone near Stevenson’s ability.
Ward is confident about his client’s chances.
“I don’t know much about him,” he said. “Shakur texted me and said, ‘Hey I haven’t watched the tape yet. What do you think about him?’ I told him Felix has big trouble come June 9.”
Stevenson was scheduled to face Miguel Marriaga on March 14 in New York City but the fight was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.