Shakur Stevenson (19-0, 9 KOs), an undefeated former two-weight world champion, will face Japanese puncher Shuichiro Yoshino (16-0, 12 KOs) in a 12-round WBC lightweight title eliminator at Newark’s Prudential Center on April 8.
#Boxing Notebook: @ShakurStevenson heads home for 135 eliminator vs Yoshino; @ZurdoRamirezz return set vs Rosado; #TszyuHarrison site update; Quick hits; poster milestone in show & tell. Read & sign up for my newsletter! https://t.co/U2s2bkdhw4 @trboxing @KornerMan44 @GabeJRivas
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) February 8, 2023
The co-main event will feature heavyweight knockout artist Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson aiming for another stoppage, and the televised opener will showcase rising lightweight Keyshawn Davis. Neither of their opponents have been announced at this time.
“Shakur Stevenson is one of the most gifted fighters I’ve had the pleasure of promoting, and I look forward to seeing him once again fight in front of his incredible hometown fans in Newark,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
“Yoshino is a tough fighter and won’t be deterred by the hostile crowd. Jared Anderson and Keyshawn Davis are two of the sport’s emerging superstars, and I can’t wait to see them back in the ring.”
Former featherweight and junior lightweight world champion Stevenson returns home after winning a close fight against Robson Conceiço at Prudential Center last September.
After winning the WBO junior lightweight title in October 2021 against Jamel Herring, Stevenson unified the division in April 2022 by defeating WBC king Oscar Valdez over 12 rounds.
ALL HAIL THE KING 🏆🏆@ShakurStevenson x #ValdezStevenson pic.twitter.com/N2tPxzTmn5
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 1, 2022
“I am taking over the lightweight division and my run will start on April 8 in Newark. Shuichiro Yoshino is an undefeated fighter who was willing to step up and fight me when so many fighters were scared,” Stevenson said.
“My last fight at the Prudential Center was just the start of what I’m building in Jersey. We are going to pack the Prudential Center again and show the world who the future of boxing really is.”
Conversely, the WBC’s No. 5 contender, Yoshino, is a former Japanese lightweight champion who compiled a 104-20 amateur record. After seven defenses of his Japanese title, Yoshino rose in the rankings after a dominant 2022 campaign.