LAS VEGAS -- It was a forgettable night for Shakur Stevenson despite becoming a world champion in a third decision.
Stevenson defeated Edwin De Los Santos by unanimous decision in a fight that was completely devoid of action over the course of 12 rounds that left fans at T-Mobile Arena disappointed.
Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs) is still one of the best boxers in the sport but this performance won't have fans clamoring to see him fight again. De Los Santos claims that he tried, but the hard-hitting lefty couldn't tempt Stevenson out of his defensive-minded strategy.
The two fighters danced around the ring to a chorus of boos with very little engagement. Neither man landed much of anything and probed with single shots - mostly jabs - throughout.
If this was the performance that was supposed to get the attention of the likes of Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney, Stevenson would probably want a do-over.
It was an utter disappointment as Stevenson easily slid away from De Los Santos' punches but rarely made him pay. For much of the fight, they stood in front of each other and refused to let their hands go. The boos were slight at first but picked up momentum until they were reverberating throughout the arena.
Nevertheless, Stevenson's superb defense kept him out of trouble and secured him a world title in a third weight class.
But this particular night isn't one anybody will want to remember.
Here's how it all went down in Las Vegas.
Shakur Stevenson vs. Edwin De Los Santos live updates, results, highlights
Shakur Stevenson beats Edwin De Los Santos by unanimous decision
Scores: 115-113, 116-112 & 116-112
Round Twelve: De Los Andes lands a right hand and tries to pick up the pace, but Stevenson continues to dance away before landing a hard right hook. Stevenson lands a counter hook. That's it. The end. Thankfully.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson (118-110 Stevenson)
Round Eleven: This is unbelievable. Absolutely nothing is happening. Sorry. Nothing to write about.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson (108-101 Stevenson)
Round Ten: Stevenson catches De Los Santos coming in with a jab and a hook. More fans leave as nothing of substance happens. Wow. This is bad.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson (98-92 Stevenson)
Round Nine: Counter left for Stevenson lands. They exchange hooks and that gets a rise out of the crowd. They are standing in front of each other and not throwing. They clinch and De Los Santos throws on the break. He misses, of course. Stevenson lands a few jabs as the round comes to a close.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson (88-83 Stevenson)
Round Eight: A few clinches open the round but no punches of significance have landed. Stevenson pops a jab and lands a right to the body. There's an audible yawn from someone in the crowd. The boos grow louder. Stevenson lands a jab. That's all.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson (78-74 Stevenson)
Round Seven: De Los Santos finally advances and launches punches at the air. Stevenson lands a short left. The crowd continues to boo. Once again, a round of next to nothing. Fans are leaving.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson (68-65 Stevenson)
Round Six: Both fighters opening up a little more but, again, neither have landed anything of substance. Stevenson is pressing the action. Another round of nothing. This isn't great.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson (58-56 Stevenson)
Round Five: The action picks up slightly but neither fighter is landing as the crowd continues to let them have it. De Los Santos goes to the body but is blocked. The boos are getting louder.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson (48-47 Stevenson)
Round Four: The crowd boos as soon as the round begins. De Los Santos gives chase but lands nothing. De Los Santos misses with a wild hook but Stevenson doesn't make him pay for it. De Los Santos is trying but Stevenson is avoiding everything. Sooner or later, Stevenson needs to land some punches.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 De Los Santos (38-38)
Round Three: Stevenson beginning to move forward to start the round. He's closing the distance. De Los Santos lands a left hand to back Stevenson off for a moment. Nothing is happening. The crowd is getting restless.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 De Los Santos (29-28 Stevenson)
Round Two: Stevenson sneaks a jab between De Los Santos' gloves. Stevenson catches him with a counter right. De Los Santos lands a short left and they tie up. The crowd begins to boo due to the lack of action. Another round of very little happening.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson (20-18 Stevenson)
Round One: De Los Santos tries to get started early but can't find Stevenson. Not a lot happening as De Los Santos throws but catches nothing but air. Stevenson catches De Los Santos with an overhand right. Left to the body by Stevenson. Not a lot happened but Stevenson landed the only punch that mattered.
SN Unofficial Scorecard: 10-9 Stevenson
11:47 p.m. ET: The main event is up next and we'll be going to round-by-round coverage for Shakur Stevenson vs. Edwin De Los Santos.
Emanuel Navarrete and Robson Conceicao battle to a majority draw
11:38 p.m. ET: The result is fitting as Navarrete vs. Conceicao ended in a majority draw. One judge saw it for Navarrete with a 114-112 scorecard while the other two judges scored it even at 113-113. The knockdowns cost Conceicao the upset but maybe they'll end up doing it again.
11:31 p.m. ET: This is going to end up being a close call. Conceicao fought an excellent fight and landed more than Navarrete but those two knockdowns could be the difference maker. Let's see how the judges score it.
11:22 p.m. ET: Heading into the 11th round it appears that Conceicao has fought well and outlanded Navarrete in just about every round but his face is telling a different story. It should be close on the scorecards but neither of these fighters can take anything for granted at this juncture.
11:10 p.m. ET: Just as Conceicao appeared to steady the ship, Navarrete took him down again with a right to the body in the seventh round. The punch didn't appear to hurt Conceicao but he didn't have his balance and a light push from Navarrete sent him to the canvas. The two knockdowns are going to make it difficult for Conceicao to claw his way back into the fight.
10:57 p.m. ET: The tide has shifted in favor of Navarrete as he scored a knockdown in round four with a short left uppercut that rattled Conceicao followed by a right to the temple that put him down. Conceicao was on shaky legs as the round closed and Navarrete is surely about to apply pressure to see what Conceicao has in the tank.
10:50 p.m. ET: Through two rounds, Robson Conceicao is giving Emanuel Navarrete all he can handle. He's not allowing Navarrete to get off his combination punching and establishing himself as the ring general. Things could get interesting if Navarrete can't figure out how to crack the code of the 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Brazil.
10:20 p.m. ET: Brian Norman Jr. took a relatively uneventful unanimous decision over Quinton Randall to close out the undercard. We're getting ready to start the main card with two title fights. Emanuel Navarrete will kick things off defending his WBO super featherweight title against Robson Conceicao. Aside from the title, there is a possibility that a Navarrete win will land him a fight with Shakur Stevenson next.
9:50 p.m. ET: The last fight of the undercard is currently in the fourth round as Brian Norman Jr. and Quinton Randall are duking it out. After a series of knockouts early on courtesy of Emiliano Vargas and Abdullah Mason it's been all decisions.
Shakur Stevenson vs. Edwin De Los Santos results
Main card
- Shakur Stevenson def. Edwin De Los Santos via unanimous decision (115-113, 116-112 & 116-112) for the WBC lightweight title
- Emanuel Navarrete and Robson Conceicao ends in majority draw (114-112, 113-113 & 113-113) Navarrete retains the WBO super featherweight title
Prelims
- Brian Norman Jr. def. Quinton Randall via unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91 & 97-93)
- Floyd Diaz def. Max Ornelas via split decision (77-73, 78-72 & 74-76)
- Troy Isley def. Vladimir Hernandez via unanimous decision (77-75, 77-75 & 77-75)
- Emiliano Vargas def. Brian Mendoza via 2nd round KO (:57)
- Abdullah Mason def. Jose Cardenas via 2nd round KO (1:55)