Shakur Stevenson Vs. Shuichiro Yoshino Preliminary And Undercard Live Results, Recaps: Jared Anderson Stops George Arias In The Third Round With A Statement Win
On April 8th, 2023, Shakur Stevenson is set to compete in a WBC title eliminator at 135 pounds against Japanese fighter Shuichiro Yoshino.
The event takes place in Stevenson’s hometown from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Stevenson, who currently holds a record of 19-0 with nine knockouts, arrives into the bout following a series of notable wins.
After beating Jamel Herring, Oscar Valdez and Robert Conceicao at super featherweight, Stevenson will be looking to do the same in his debut in the lightweight division.
Standing his way is unbeaten Japanese superstar Yoshino. The 135-pounder (16 wins and 12 knockouts) will compete outside of Japan for the first time in his career.
But his victories over Masayoshi Nakatani and Masayuki Ito have shown that he is a credible opponent for Stevenson.
If Stevenson or Yoshino were to win, both men would be in a strong position to face either undisputed champion Devin Haney, or Vasiliy Lomachenko, who will face each other on May 20th, 2023.
Elsewhere on the card Keyshawn Davis, who has a flawless record of seven wins and five knockouts, faces off against Anthony Yigit, whose record stands at 26 wins, two losses, and one draw, in the co-main event.
Meanwhile, Jared Anderson puts his perfect record of 13 wins and 13 knockouts to the test against George Arias (18 wins and seven knockouts with no losses) in a heavyweight clash.
Follow the Live Results, Recaps, and Highlights below, provided by FIGHT SPORTS
Live Results: Main Card 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST on ESPN+/Sky Sports
Jared Anderson vs. George Arias – Heavyweight
Anderson started off well with his jab, frequently targeting the body, as he stalked Arias around the ring. Arias remained on the outside, looking to avoid the heavy-handed Anderson, as ‘Big Baby’ took the first.
The stinging jab continued in the second, but Arias countered with a sharp left, keeping Anderson at bay. Another counter left followed for Arias, as Anderson was touched coming in.
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2023
Further two lefts for Arias followed, but Anderson finished well with some sturdy body shots in a more even round.
The same theme followed in the third, as Anderson’s jabs were being met by counter lefts. However, a huge uppercut from Anderson got through, as Arias held on, in a moment of success.
Anderson followed up with further shots on the bell with a huge right and a left, cutting Arias’ left eye as he buckled his way back to the stool, on shaky legs at the bell.
The corner intervened by throwing in the towel, as Anderson punched the air with a third-round TKO victory.
TOO ****ING EASY. @TeamBigBabyy adds another demolition to the list 🧨 pic.twitter.com/CWe7iMtwE3
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2023
“I’m different. I’m nice. I’m the best heavyweight in the world. I don’t give a f*** what nobody is talking about. You hear me? I made that look easy, man, because he helped me make it look easy, man. He wasn’t throwing punches for real. I kept my defense tight. My jab was on point. It was an easy night,” Anderson
The Next Great American Heavyweight ™ pic.twitter.com/zZBxXDB35B
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2023
Official Result: Jared Anderson def. George Arias via a third-round TKO
Keyshawn Davis vs. Anthony Yigit – Lightweight
Davis stepped into unfamiliar territory in his first professional fight against a southpaw, but he quickly established his dominance over Yigit by employing his jab.
The American remained in control and continued to press forward with a check hook, effectively stalking his opponent.
In the subsequent round, Davis continued with his earlier strategy and landed several punches, including a straight right and left hook, without receiving any significant retaliation from Yigit.
Keyshawn is in his flow state 🌊 #ShakurYoshino | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/VSwbpl0YTf
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2023
Although Yigit managed to land a left, Davis remained unharmed and even landed a sharp uppercut. In the next round, Yigit fell to the ground, but the referee didn’t consider it a knockdown.
Yigit composed himself, but in response, Davis landed a three-punch combination and continued to move forward.
Davis then delivered a body shot, resulting in a collision of heads, leaving him dizzy. The referee gave Davis a minute to recover, and fortunately, there was no bleeding, as his dominance remained.
Yigit was on the backfoot, despite his insistence in the pre-fight presser that he would press the action. Davis landed two more body shots, as it was clear that Yigit began to feel the pace.
Further jabs and straight rights and lefts followed for Davis. The latter began to walk down his opponent, blocking his shots and moving him to the ropes.
Just target practice out here 🎯@KeyshawnDavis8 | #ShakurYoshino pic.twitter.com/Mzjk20j3qX
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2023
At the halfway stage, Davis started to dominate Yigit with his superior inside game, landing impactful punches to the body and head.
Davis backed Yigit into the ropes and landed two left hooks to the body, persistently pursuing him. At the end of the round, Yigit’s head was jerked back by a double uppercut from Davis.
Yigit’s work rate began to slow down, as the redness on his body showed. Further uppercuts followed with such precision as Yigit was out of ideas, heading into the championship rounds.
Davis stepped on the gas, looking to stop his opponent. He targeted Yigit’s eye, which began to blacken up. Further blood began to pour from Yigit’s nose, but that only rallied him further.
A momentary push by Davis on Yigit halted his momentum, as the referee stepped in to warn the pair. Davis took things personally, battering the body even further, but Yigit continued to throw.
Davis’ onslaught continued in the ninth, with three hooks to the body. The American cornered Yigit on the ropes, as he threw further bombs. While Yigit managed to move off the ropes, there was further drama.
Business is BOOMIN'
🌟 @KeyshawnDavis8 keeps putting on shows! #ShakurYoshino pic.twitter.com/PYzTNjv0hi
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2023
His mouth piece fell out, as Yigit fell to the floor, calling the referee to give a small timeout. Yigit continued to eat up Davis’ shots, but he fell to the canvas for the first time on the bell at the end of the eight round.
Yigit managed to fight on for the next round, but it was to no avail. Davis’ barrage continued, as the referee waved off the fight with the American winning by a ninth-round TKO.
A hell of a performance for Norfolk’s own 🌟@KeyshawnDavis8 | #ShakurYoshino pic.twitter.com/CoTkKBggwW
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2023
Official Result: Keyshawn Davis def. Anthony Yigit via a ninth-round TKO
Live Results: Early Prelims 7 p.m. ET
Damian Knyba def. Curtis Harper via an eight-round TKO
GOT THE STOP.
🇵🇱 @DamianKnyba ends it in the final seconds! #ShakurYoshino pic.twitter.com/06SBpWcNsd
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2023
Troy Isley def. Roy Barringer via unanimous decision 79-73, 80-72, 80-72
.@GOATTransformer is landing HEAVY from ringside 😮 pic.twitter.com/HBunYn6erV
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2023
Bruce Carrington def. Brandon Chambers via a second-round KO
A THREAT AT FEATHERWEIGHT 😤@B_Carrington1 | #ShakurYoshino pic.twitter.com/QhTMrucV78
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 9, 2023
Kelvin Davis def. Nelson Morales via unanimous decision 59-55, 60-54, 60-54
8-0 😎
Kelvin Davis con la victoria por decisión unánime. #ShakurYoshino pic.twitter.com/oyfnkQRbg8
— Top Rank en Español (@trboxeo) April 9, 2023
Antoine Cobb draws with Jaylan Phillips 40-36, 38-38, 38-38
IT HAPPENED 🤯
Cobb-Phillips ends in a draw… AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/1TZ1Aqtdk4
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) April 8, 2023