Shakur Stevenson Defeats De Los Santos to Win Lightweight World Title

By Amy A Kaplan - 11/17/2023 - Comments

Shakur Stevenson vs Edwin De Los Santos & Navarrete vs Conceição Top World Championship Doubleheader Thursday, November 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and live on ESPN+ beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT

Edwin De Los Santos (16-1, 14 KOs) and Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs)  have agreed to a deal to meet on Thursday, November 16th on ESPN in Las Vegas.

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Devin Haney’s former WBC lightweight title will be at stake for the Shakur vs. De Los Santos contest. Haney chose to move up to 140 after having difficulty making weight for his last fight against Vasily Lomachenko at 135 last May.

This is going to be a tough one for Stevenson because he can’t take the chance of standing in front of the younger and far more powerful Southpaw De Los Santos because he could get clipped.

Recently, Shakur had been staying in the pocket and trading with his opponents to be more entertaining, but for this one against the 23-year-old Dominican Republic native De Los Santos, he’ll need to return to his trusty pull-back style that he’d used his entire pro and amateur career to keep from getting knocked out.

Shakur has got to look good if he wants to continue to build his fan base. If he runs from De Los Santos all night like he did against Jeremiah Nakathilia, the last big puncher he faced, it won’t matter if he wins. The fans won’t be impressed, and he’ll just be one of the many dull belt-holders in the sport.

Stevenson-De Los Santos is strategically being scheduled by Top Rank to take advantage of the huge influx of fans to Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Grand Prix motor race.

Placing it on Thursday could hurt the viewership of hardcore boxing fans, but Top Rank is likely counting on race car fans sticking around to catch it on ESPN.

It’s still not official, so let’s hope this fight doesn’t go up in smoke like Shakur’s last agreed fight with Frank ‘The Ghost’ Martin, which fell apart over a disagreement about the purse split.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum believes Shakur is the next big star in the lightweight division, and he may be right. The division is empty of big names apart from Gervonta Davis, as Haney and Ryan Garcia have moved up. Vasily Lomachenko is getting older, and who knows how much longer he’ll be fighting.

“De Los Santos is the guy that beat Rayo. He’ll get outboxed pretty easy [by Shakur],” said trainer Robert Garcia to ESNEWS, picking Shakur Stevenson to defeat Edwin De Los Santos.

“Outboxed, yeah.  It won’t be easy because he [De Los Santos] hits hard. Shakur can’t go out there and take risks because De Los Santos hits really hard, but Shakur outboxes him really easy.”

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Fighter Quotes

Shakur Stevenson:

This is everything to me. I’ve dedicated my life to being ready for moments like this. Once again, I find myself gearing up for a vacant title fight. My focus is absolute, and I’m prepared for the showdown on Thursday.

How I perform depends on my state of mind. I’m out there to showcase my best to myself. When I’m at my peak, I become a challenge for anyone to handle.

My opponent is undoubtedly tough, showing a lot of spirit. This might be a disadvantage for him when we meet on Thursday, but I respect his courage in accepting this fight.

I’m hoping for a full house, eager for everyone to watch. My focus is unwavering, and I’m fully prepared.

“The excitement is building for this upcoming fight. Facing Edwin De Los Santos, who’s a tough opponent, only motivates me more to secure a victory.”

“Right now, my focus is solely on the fight ahead. The future can wait; my current mission is to triumph on Thursday and reclaim my title.”

“Edwin’s skills are respectable, and I see him as a more strategic boxer than he lets on. He might try to be elusive, but I’m confident that by the fourth round, I’ll have him figured out.”

Edwin De Los Santos:

I’ve always maintained that I’m here to engage, not delay. We didn’t hesitate to grab this opportunity when it came.

This is an exhilarating moment for me. Every boxer dreams of this, becoming a world champion. My family is thrilled, and I believe that with divine guidance, victory will be mine, changing my life forever.

Be ready for a surprise on November 16. It won’t be what you’re expecting.

“Our mindset is clear: we’re here for a fight, not to hesitate. I feel that I was initially underestimated, but now Stevenson realizes he’s in for a significant challenge.”

“I’m thrilled about fighting in Las Vegas for a world title. It’s a dream come true, and it’s all happening on November 16.”

Emanuel Navarrete:

“It’s great to be here with everyone for this workout. I’m geared up for another fight to defend my title at 130 pounds.”

“We’re aware of the strength and skill of my opponent. Despite the challenges, I’m ready to defend my title with the heart of a Mexican warrior.”

“Las Vegas is a dream destination for many athletes, not just boxers. It’s an honor to be here, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to perform in front of this audience.”

Robson is a major challenge in this fight. His Olympic-style approach makes him a tough opponent for someone with my style. We’ve focused our training on this aspect to make the fight more approachable for me.

I thrive on being active and engaging in fights. I embrace every opportunity that comes my way in my career and make the most of it.

Robson Conceição

I learned about this fight just before another scheduled bout in September and was instantly thrilled. The tougher the challenge, the better for me, so I didn’t hesitate to accept.

Securing three title opportunities is hard, just like in my amateur days. It took me three tries to win an Olympic championship, and I expect a similar journey in my professional career.

Q&A: Stevenson vs. Santos Fight Overview

Q: When is the Stevenson vs. Santos fight scheduled?

A: The fight is set for Thursday, November 16, starting at 8:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 a.m. UK (Friday). The main event ringwalks are anticipated around 11:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. UK (Friday), although these times might adjust based on the earlier fights.

Q: Where can I watch the Stevenson vs. Santos fight?

A: In the U.S., the fight will be broadcast live on ESPN+. For fans in the UK, it will be available on Sky Sports.

Q: Where is the fight taking place?

A: The Stevenson vs. Santos fight will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Q: What are the betting odds for the Stevenson vs. Santos fight?

A: As of November 15, 2023, DraftKings lists the odds as Shakur Stevenson at -1200 and Edwin De Los Santos at +600.

Q: Can you provide details on Shakur Stevenson and Edwin De Los Santos’ records and bios?

A: Shakur Stevenson, an American boxer, has a record of 20-0 with 10 KOs. Born on June 28, 1997, he stands 5′ 8″ tall with a 68″ reach. Edwin De Los Santos from the Dominican Republic has a record of 16-1 with 14 KOs. Born on October 7, 1999, he is also 5′ 8″ tall and has a 70″ reach.

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Thursday, November 16

ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT)

  • Shakur Stevenson vs. Edwin De Los Santos 12 rounds, Vacant WBC Lightweight World Title
  • Emanuel Navarrete vs. Robson Conceição, 12 rounds, Navarrete’s WBO Junior Lightweight World Title 

ESPN+ (5:40 p.m. ET/2:40 p.m. PT)

  • Brian Norman Jr. vs. Quinton Randall, 10 rounds, WBO International Welterweight Title
  • Floyd Diaz vs. Max Ornelas, 8 rounds, bantamweight
  • Troy Isley vs. Vladimir Hernandez, 8 rounds, middleweight
  • Emiliano Fernando Vargas vs. Brandon Mendoza, 6 rounds, lightweight
  • Jackson Mu­­rray vs. Steven Torres, 6 rounds, heavyweight
  • Abdullah Mason vs. Jose Cardenas, 6 rounds, lightweight
  • Hugo Micallef vs. Sergio Odabai, 6 rounds, junior welterweight
  • Giovanni Sarchioto vs. Lucas de Abreu, 6 rounds, super middleweight