American boxing prodigy Shakur Stevenson and Japanese fighter Shuichiro Yoshino will face off in a WBC lightweight title eliminator on April 8 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The highly anticipated fight could pave the way for the winner to challenge undisputed champion Devin “The Dream” Haney.
The main event, featuring Stevenson and Yoshino, is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, with the main card commencing at 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. BST. Fans can watch the event on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ in the US, and Sky Sports in the UK. Start times in other countries, such as India, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico, will vary.
Before Shakur Stevenson can make his mark in the lightweight division, he must first prove himself against Shuichiro Yoshino. A win could propel Stevenson into high-profile battles against the likes of Vasiliy Lomachenko, Devin Haney, and Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
The main card for the evening includes the following bouts:
- Shakur Stevenson vs. Shuichiro Yoshino; Lightweight
- Keyshawn Davis vs. Anthony Yigit; Lightweight
- Jared Anderson vs. George Arias; Heavyweight
- Troy Isley vs. Roy Barringer; Super-welterweight
- Damian Knyba vs. Curtis Harper; Heavyweight
- Bruce Carrington vs. Brandon Chambers; Featherweight
- Kelvin Davis vs. Nelson Morale; Super-lightweight
- Antoine Cobb vs. Jaylan Phillips; Super-lightweight
Stevenson, an American boxer with an unbeaten record of 19-0 (9 KOs), faces a formidable opponent in the also undefeated Japanese fighter Shuichiro Yoshino, boasting a record of 16-0 (12 KOs). The fight will mark Yoshino’s first appearance in the US, and he is determined to make a strong impression on his international debut.
The winner of this fight will be eyeing a title shot against undisputed champion Devin Haney, who has announced his intention to defend his four lightweight belts throughout 2023. However, the situation remains uncertain, as Haney’s future plans after his May 20th bout against Vasyl Lomachenko have not been revealed. Both Stevenson and Yoshino would prefer to challenge Haney for all four belts, rather than see the titles dispersed.
With this exciting lineup and the prospect of a title shot against Devin Haney on the line, the Stevenson vs. Yoshino fight promises to be a thrilling event for boxing fans worldwide.