Shakur Stevenson successfully defended his WBC lightweight title by unanimous decision over William Zepeda on a historic night at NYC’s Louis Armstrong Stadium, which became the first boxing event to be hosted at the U.S. Open grounds.

An Outstanding Tactical Display

In response to criticism of his cautious approach, Stevenson stepped into the ring.  He demonstrated his ability to amuse and hold his own against the violent, power-punching Zepeda:

He engaged in confident blow-for-blow combat from the center, dissecting Zepeda with poise and accuracy.

Stevenson was momentarily surprised by Zepeda’s tumbling third round, but the champion re-calibrated by using movement, counters, a sharp body jab, and accurate uppercuts.

With final judges’ scores of 118–110, 118–110, and 119–109, the victory was resounding.

Stevenson Shows ‘Dog’

Stevenson himself admitted he brought a new level of tenacity:

“I got dog in me. I’m not a puppy… so I got dog in me”  .

Longtime observers noted this performance may redefine his career—he combined smart boxing with a willingness to engage, which could be pivotal ahead of potential unification fights.

CompuBox Confirms Control

According to ESPN’s Compubox:

Stevenson landed 295 of 565 punches (52.2%), compared to Zepeda’s 272 of 979 (27.8%)  .

His efficiency and volume put the Mexican challenger under constant pressure.

A Night of Milestones

Stevenson’s flawless career record now stands at 24–0 with 11 KOs, marking his third defense of the WBC lightweight title.  This was Zepeda’s first loss (he was previously 33–0, 27 KOs), indicating a high level of competition for Stevenson.

The Venue & Atmosphere

Stevenson becomes the face of a historic event that highlighted boxing’s fresh ambition while, of all places, battling on tennis grounds at the $200 million Louis Armstrong Stadium.

What’s Next?

Collaboration  Rumor has it that Stevenson is inclined to big matchups, notably those involving Teofimo Lopez and Gervonta Davis.

Increase in Marketability: Stevenson’s developing star power is highlighted by the win and the creative staging.

Expanded Skill Profile: He addressed long-standing critiques by proving he can box and fight, according to both fans and experts.

Final Take

In addition to keeping his title, Shakur Stevenson’s commanding performance over William Zepeda changed people’s opinions.  He silenced detractors, shown his ability to fight in exciting ways, and set the stage for highly anticipated bouts.  He is demonstrating that, even at the age of 28, he is a warrior capable of inspiring admirers and a technical marvel.

His next move might be huge if he continues to be as nimble and brave.  Stevenson no longer plays it safe, that much is certain.  He’s playing for the big prize.