Shakur Stevenson returns to the ring against Toka Khan Clary on Saturday on ESPN
SHAKUR STEVENSON (14-0, 8 KOs)
VS. TOKA KHAN CLARY (28-2, 19 KOs)
- When: Saturday, Dec. 12
- Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
- TV/Stream: ESPN
- Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
- Rounds: 10
- At stake: No titles
- Pound-for-pound ranking: None
- Odds: NA
- Also on the card: Felix Verdejo vs. Masayoshi Nakatani, lightweights; Edgar Berlanga vs. Ulises Sierra, 8 rounds, super middleweights; Clay Collard vs. Quincy LaVallais, 8 rounds, middleweights.
- Prediction: Stevenson KO 5
- Background: Stevenson, 23, is one of the most exciting young prospects in the world and already a former featherweight titleholder. The 2016 Olympic silver medalist has the natural gifts and ability to compete with anyone and the flair to garner the attention of fans. He is coming off a sensational sixth-round knockout of Felix Caraballo in June at the MGM Grand, his first fight at 130 pounds. He is ranked No. 1 by the WBO and No. 2 by the WBC, meaning a shot at a second world title is around the corner. Jamel Herring holds the WBO title, Miguel Berchelt the WBC belt. Clary, 28, is from Liberia but has lived in the United States since he was 6 years old. He lives in Providence, R.I. Clary also was an outstanding amateur (finishing a reported 119-11). He’s a skillful, quick-handed boxer with some power. He lost a clear decision to then-unbeaten Kid Galahad in 2018 but has won his three subsequent fights, including a second-round knockout of Jonathan Perez on Oct. 29. He’s good but this is a tough assignment for him.
