When Shakur Stevenson rolled off the amateur production line with a silver medal at the Rio Olympics he was an American superstar in waiting.
That medal should have been gold. It might yet be should the recently launched corruption investigation into Olympic boxing reverse a decision that made a winner of Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez.
Though Stevenson won a world title, the WBO featherweight crown, in his 13th professional fight, the bells and whistles have been missing so far.
The reputation for caution he has acquired is not only unfair, it could be shredded when he steps up to super feather to challenge WBO champion Jamel Herring in Atlanta this weekend.
Stevenson was circumspect in his last bout against Jeremia Nakathila in June. He was self-critical about that performance and promises to be better.
Stevenson is a southpaw who fights on reflexes. Nakathila had lost only once and as 18 knockout wins suggest, he can obviously punch.
A boxer who fights on reflexes is going to be wary. Stevenson trades on fast hands, but he can punch as well as box.
Herring, 35, is one tough hombre, as you might expect from an ex-US marine, who spent two tours of duty in Iraq.
At 5ft 10in he has a reach advantage too, one that proved too much for Carl Frampton last time out.
That won’t be the case with Stevenson. Against Nakathila, Stevenson was slow to commit. It’s an innate thing. He never does until he is sure there is nothing coming back.
With experience he will get more comfortable in punching range and more self-assured in bigger fights.
There were times when Tommy Hearns didn’t look great, Sugar Ray Leonard too.
Like Leonard at his best Stevenson loads his power onto the last shot. Watch Leonard’s show reel, pop, pop with the jab then every ounce of energy with the last shot takes them out.
Shakur likes to set you up with quick combinations and then the money is on the last punch, the dynamite strike.
Herring is durable but Stevenson is exceptional. We will be talking about him a lot in the coming years, a fighter who I believe will end up at least a three-weight world champion.
At 24 you might see this as his coming of age party. It might go the distance, but I suspect Stevenson will end it in the championship rounds to prove his class.
Follow Barry on Twitter at @ClonesCyclone, @McGuigans_Gym and @CyclonePromo
