Felix Caraballo’s nickname is La Sombra, The Shadow, which seems appropriate. Shakur Stevenson’s opponent on Tuesday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is a mystery man.
The Puerto Rican 126-pounder has never fought outside his native country and little video of him is available. You won’t recognize anyone on his resume. His age isn’t even listed on BoxRec.com, the official record keeper of boxing.
Bob Arum, who is promoting the first post-lockdown card in the U.S., was asked what he knows about Caraballo.
“Well, I’m the wrong guy [to ask],” he said on a conference call. “I mean, Carl Moretti and our matchmakers are familiar with Caraballo. They think it’s a very competitive fight; that’s good enough for me.
“I’ve never seen the young man fight, but he comes highly recommended by Moretti and our matchmakers.”
Stevenson, who will fight Caraballo at 130 pounds, watched one round of his opponent in action on video and saw a lot of holding. He was asked what else he noticed and he replied, “I noticed that he’s nowhere near my level.”
That would explain why Stevenson is a 10-1 favorite on one website going into the fight, which will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
Caraballo (13-1-2, 9 KOs) doesn’t seem to be bothered by such opinions. He didn’t expect to fight at all this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The fact he’s in the main event on the first U.S. card amid the pandemic is nothing short of thrilling, even without spectators.
“I feel emotional,” he said on the conference call. “My last fight was in January and knowing that I’m going to fight now in June with Shakur Stevenson, knowing that he’s one of the best boxers right now, and he’s the [featherweight] champion. I’m [at] 126, too, but they gave me this opportunity at 130, and I’m going to go and give it my all.
“I want to fight, and it’s not going to have the public [in attendance], but I don’t have no problem with that. I just want to go to that ring and do my job.”
Of course, Caraballo would rather be fighting for Stevenson’s featherweight belt but he recognizes a golden opportunity when he sees one.
“I know that if we win, we could open all the doors, we could have more fights and better fights,” he said. “… I know that I’m going with a great boxer. He’s got speed, he’s got technique, but I’m going to work. He’s going to make me work and I’m going to make him work.
“I know it’s going to be a great fight, and I get motivated because I know that this opportunity doesn’t happen twice.”
