Cuban Jadier Herrera is a brand new possibility as a substitute opponent for WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson to combat this Saturday, February twenty second, in Riyadh. Stevenson’s administration wants a substitute after his unique opponent, Floyd Schofield, pulled out with an sickness. Jadier Herrera, 22, has the expertise to beat Shakur.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
The Prospects
Ariel Helwani experiences that #14 WBC ranked light-weight contender Jadier Herrera and Josh Padley are the 2 choices which might be being thought of for Shakur’s combat on Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 card on the Kingdom Enviornment. Padley (15-0, 4 KOs) not almost as gifted because the southpaw Herrera, however he’s British and coming off a giant win over Mark Chamberlain.
Herrera is a greater fighter than Schofield, and he’s rather more harmful on account of his energy, technical abilities, and southpaw stance. If Shakur’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, doesn’t thoughts him probably getting knocked out by Jadier Herrera, this can be a nice substitute possibility and a giant improve over Floyd Schofield. The Cuban has sneaky energy in his left hand. The best way he unleashes it jogs my memory of tremendous middleweight Osley Iglesias. If Herrera hits Shakur with that left, they’ll be scooping him up off the canvas with a spatula.
Shakur can have a built-in excuse if he loses to Jadier Herrera. He can blame it on taking the combat on three days’ discover and never having ready for a southpaw with one-punch energy.
Hearn has 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, whom he may use as a substitute as properly. Cruz is equally gifted as Shakur however with extra energy and a extra entertaining fashion. He’s one other one who would have a good chance of beating Shakur. It comes down as to whether Hearn believes in Shakur sufficient to permit him to combat Jadier or Andy Cruz as a result of each of them would have a superb probability of beating him.
“I perceive the need to hold Shakur on the cardboard, however I don’t know of anybody that may are available on three day’s discover and be in form,” mentioned Ade Oladipo on Ariel Helwani’s YouTube channel, speaking about Shakur Stevenson needing a substitute opponent after Floyd Schofield pulled out.
“Three days for anybody to combat Shakur Stevenson, who’s in form, goes to be a loopy mismatch. I like Josh Padley. I hope he will get the chance. He got here in and upset Mark Chamberlain on the [September 21st] Wembley [Stadium] card. However what weight is he strolling round at now?
“Josh Padley is a light-weight. These guys usually stroll round at 170 and lower right down to that weight. I don’t know the place he’s at proper now. I’m shocked he [Joe Cordina] hasn’t been given a name right here. I don’t know if he’d have taken the combat.”
Final Up to date on 02/19/2025
