LAS VEGAS - Shakur Stevenson thinks Oscar Valdez should have stopped boxing Robson Concicao on September 10 because Valdez tested positive for a performance-enhancing stimulant that was banned by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
Criticism of Valdez was confirmed after a positive test for Phentermine, according to Stevenson, who will face Valdez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night. Valdez's impending opponents felt that this was unfair, however, as those who claimed that Valdez deserved a unanimous decision on Concicao did not deserve it.
"I thought he won," Stevenson told BoxingSin.com. "I do not agree with many people who think that Valdez has lost. I really thought Concierge won because he gave up gas. I think he leaked gas. He is not really an internal warrior, so Valdez later beat him on the inside. I think Valdez has won. "
Brazil's Conceicao (17-1, 8 KOs) made a strong start against Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs), yet the previously undefeated fighter faded toward the end of a 12-round fight for Valdez's WBC Super Featherweight Championship on 10 September in Tucson, Arizona.
Judge Stephen Bley (117-110) scored nine rounds for Valdez, although their fight was more competitive. Judges Omar Mintun (115-112) and Chris Teles (115-112) scored seven rounds for Concicao.
Referee Tony Zino cut a point from 1:44 from Conceicao to advance to the ninth round to hit Valdez in the back of the head.
Nonetheless, CompuBox credits Concierge for delivering 58 more punches overall than Valdez (576-of-141 to 83-of-390).
According to CompuBox's calculations, Conceicao is further connected to power punches (103-of-297 to 64-of-209) and jabs (38-of-279 to 19-of-181). CompuBox credits Valdez with more punches in just one of 12 rounds. They also landed the same number of shots in four rounds.
The 24-year-old Stevenson imagined with little doubt that he would win their 12-round, 130-pound title consolidation fight. Most sportsbooks have Stevenson (17-0, 9 Chaos) installed, a Southern from New Jersey in New Jersey, with ESPN broadcasting as the headliner of a three-bout broadcast at least 5-1 favorites to win a major event (10pm ET); 7 pm PT).
"He's undefeated," Stevenson said of Valdez, a former WBO featherweight champion. "He's 30-0. I don't think people give him enough credit. I think if there was anyone else he would go there and kill them. But he's just going against a particular fighter."