Rio 2016 Olympic champion Robson Conceicao took to the ring Friday, in Newark, United States, in search of the world title he dreamed of in super featherweight boxing, but it wasn’t the case this time. Brazilian Shakur Stephenson passed by unanimous decision after 12 rounds and lost his now vacant belt, because the American did not make the heavyweight section and Lost titles that are still in the balance.
Robson Conceição x Shakur Stevenson – Photo: Mikey Williams / Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
Despite a good first round, the Brazilian saw his opponent grow and dominate a large part of the fight, to apply a knockout at the end of the fourth round. Robson still determined the reaction, but Stevenson halted the opponent’s momentum and regained control of the fight, winning by unanimous decision (117-109, 118-108, 117-109).
– He held me a lot when I was trying to get in. But he’s also very different, so it was hard to get him to dismiss. I respect him for taking the fight, but the reason was because he wanted the scholarship. I wanted to fight and he just wanted to catch me – said the American, who had reached his nineteenth professional fight and was still undefeated at Nobre Arte.
Stevenson, who weighed just over 730g above the class limit (59kg), walked out of the fight without his titles from the organization and the World Boxing Council (WBO and WBC).
The Brazilian, in turn, suffered the second defeat of his career, both in the dispute for world titles.
Shakur Stevenson x Robson Conceição – Photo: Mikey Williams / Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
Robson started the fight by taking the lead in the opening minutes, in a feud that began well balanced. The fight started heating up in the second round, when Stevenson returned more aggressive. Robson also accelerated and both started shooting serious blows.
The American attacked well in the third round and combined his attacks well and took the lead in the dispute. Robson even slipped on some chances and struggled to hit his best shot. The referee opened the count for the Brazilian at the end of the fourth round, who fell in a knockout in the last seconds.
With stronger and more accurate attacks, Stevenson maintained dominance in the following stages, which complicated the game of Robson, who was unable to find the best distance to attack, although he was always ready to attack, even at poor speed.
Robson Conceição x Shakur Stevenson – Photo: Mikey Williams / Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
In the ninth round, Stevenson lost a point due to a wrongful blow, but remained in danger, despite the Brazilian reacting in the half-battle onwards and staying alive in the fray.
The American stopped his opponent’s momentum in round 11, contained his opponent’s reaction in the duel, and controlled the confrontation again. Despite the encouragement of his coach, Luiz Doria, Robson did not get the necessary advantage in the final round and the fight ended up going to the judges, with Stephenson winning by unanimous decision (117-109, 118-108, 117-109).
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