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Shakur Stevenson and Oscar Valdez will fight for the unified titles in the super-featherweight division on Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. Days ahead of the fight, the ‘Fearless’ WBO super-featherweight king issued a bone-chilling warning to his opponent.

Talking to Crystina Poncher of ‘Talk that Talk’, the Olympic silver medalist said, “I’m not looking to have a tough fight with him. I’m not looking to go in there… You hit me, I hit you. Let’s see who the tougher fighter now. I’m going in there to pick him apart.”

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“I’m going in there a mentally drain him. I don’t think he ever been in front of a fighter like me like I think this is his first time been in there with somebody with my type of skills and as fight go on I want him to mentally quit.”

Per his words, the WBO featherweight king seems to believe he is far better than the undefeated Mexican and this fight is no tough competition for him.

A look at the previous bouts of Shakur Stevenson and Oscar Valdez

Shakur Stevenson, a two-division champion, outclassed Jamel Herring via a round 10 TKO in his last in-ring appearance.

The 22-year-old became the new WBO junior lightweight champion in October 2021 and his display saw him compared to Floyd Mayweather. During the fight, commentator Andre Ward said, “This is looking like Gatti-Floyd right now.” 

Although ‘Fearless’ believes Valdez isn’t a tough opponent, the 31-year-old is in the prime of his career. Overshadowed with testing controversies, Valdez produced a stunning performance in a tough fight against Robson Conceicao.

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He retained his WBC super-featherweight honors and improved his undefeated winning streak to 30-o.

While both pugilists have held world titles, a win on Saturday will see them earn the tag of unified world champion for the first time as professionals. An added motivation to drive them will be the urge to not lose the ‘0’ next to their names.

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Given their past performances, fans can expect a thriller at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 30.

Who do you think will clinch the unified titles? Will Stevenson be able to live up to his words? Let us know in the comments below.