Shakur Stevenson is set to face William Zepeda in what could be the toughest fight of his career, but his biggest rivalry was way back in 2015.
Shakur Stevenson‘s pro record remains a perfect one after his latest win against electrician-turned-boxer Josh Padley.
Stevenson now has his eyes firmly on the big fights, with William Zepeda being his next target, before perhaps seeking a mega-fight with Gervonta Davis.
Ten years ago, though, Stevenson had the biggest rivalry in his career, when he fought the same man four times in just seven months.
Shakur Stevenson sought revenge as Ruben Villa defeated him twice
In May 2015, 42-3 Stevenson made it to the quarter-finals of the USA National Golden Gloves tournament.
Opposite him stood 31-6 Ruben Villa. Neither man knew then that they would meet four times, and would both face the highs and lows of boxing at the expense of the other.
Villa got the best of Stevenson, who wants to fight Conor Benn, the first time around, though it was just over a month before Stevenson had the chance to put things right.
In June of the same year, Villa became the only man to defeat Stevenson twice, making it 2-0 in their newfound rivalry.
Almost six months later, Stevenson, who beat his girlfriend’s brother for his first world title, finally got another opportunity, this time defeating Villa by unanimous decision.
One more bout would be the decider for the rivalry, and would either leave them two wins apiece, or have Villa come out on top. Stevenson, now 51-5, defeated 43-7 Villa in what turned out to be his final amateur bout.
Ruben Villa fell just short of a world title against explosive Mexican champion
As a professional, Villa found some success, accruing a record of 18-0 before receiving his shot at a world title.
Villa was matched up with 32-1 Emmanuel Navarrete, a former WBO Super Bantamweight world champion.
The pair faced off for the vacant WBO featherweight world title, though Villa’s story did not get a happy ending, as he was beaten by unanimous decision. Two judges scored it close, though, with scores of 114-112 Navarrete.
Villa last fought in July 2024, losing to Sulaiman Segawa by unanimous decision.