Sparring accomplice Kevin Johnson says Shakur Stevenson can be in hassle if his surgically repaired right-hand breaks down in his battle in opposition to Floyd ‘Child Austin’ Schofield on February twenty second in Riyadh.
Johnson predicts a victory for Stevenson if he’s wholesome, however he might lose if he reinjured his proper hand in the course of the battle in opposition to the 22-year-old Schofield. He says Floyd would assault the one-armed Shakur and “overwhelm” him with punches. Shakur’s brittle fingers are the important thing to this battle. In the event that they maintain up, he wins. A breakdown on this space leaves him straightforward prey for the tiger shark, ‘Child Austin.’
The Peck & Run Drawback
In contrast to Edwin De Los Santos, ‘Child Austin’ could be relentless in opposition to an injured Shakur. He can be that means anyway, but it surely’ll be a lot worse.
Stevenson couldn’t peck and run his solution to a win like he did in opposition to De Los Santos as a result of Floyd would hunt him down and punish him with energy pictures. He doesn’t hit as arduous as De Los Santos, however he hits shut sufficient to do injury. Shakur ought to have misplaced that battle if Edwin had lower off the ring higher and confirmed extra braveness to throw when he did entice him.
WBC light-weight champion Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) hasn’t fought since injuring his hand coaching for a battle in opposition to Joe Cordina on October twelfth. He had hand surgical procedure, and he started coaching final week for his protection in opposition to Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs).
“I really feel like with a wholesome hand, Shakur has it simply because ‘Child Austin’ comes ahead. He’ll convey a battle to you, but it surely’ll be a sloppy battle,” stated Kevin Johnson to Fighthype, choosing a wholesome WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson over Floyd ‘Child’ Austin’ Schofield on February twenty second if Shakur’s surgically repaired proper hand doesn’t crumble.
“He [Schofield] doesn’t know what to face at. He’s orthodox and southpaw swiftly. Not solely that. He throws huge punches. That’s a mode that’s made for Shakur Stevenson. It’s like, ‘I’m going to tag your a*** with all these wild punches and missed footwork that you simply’re doing now.’
“You’re opening up your physique together with your switching. I really feel like Shakur goes to win this fingers down. Now, his hand harm. If his hand offers up on him and he has one hand, that’s going to be robust. Though his protection is nice, you solely received one hand,” stated Johnson about Stevenson.
If Shakur is wholesome, he’ll win a boring 12-round determination utilizing his hit-and-run fashion, but it surely received’t be straightforward. Child Austin can be hitting him arduous and attacking nonstop. He’s going to make Stevenson look dangerous regardless.
Austin’s Aggression
It’s good for him that the battle is in Riyadh somewhat than within the U.S. as a result of he could be booed out of any venue. Shakur isn’t constructed bodily or mentally for the light-weight division. He’s timid and fragile in each areas. Going up in opposition to a youthful, fearless fighter with energy can be robust for Stevenson.
“You may lose that hand to arrange physique pictures and hooks or regardless of the case. Child Austin will come ahead to punch. So, he’ll overwhelm you with all these punches when you’re attempting to get out of there and attempt to hit him with one good shot. You’ll be able to’t use your different hand. So, you’re restricted,” stated Johnson.
