Shakur Stevenson vs. Shuichiro Yoshino is scheduled for 12 rounds in the lightweight division as the featured boxing attraction this weekend from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
Two-division champion Stevenson is on the hunt for a third title, and a win over Yoshino will put him in a prime position to challenge for the undisputed lightweight championship.
Boxing odds have Stevenson as a major favorite at -1600. Yoshino steps out of the confines of Japan for the first time as a +820 underdog.
Here are our picks and predictions for Stevenson vs. Yoshino tonight from New Jersey.
Shakur Stevenson vs Shuichiro Yoshino odds
| Method of victory | Shakur Stevenson | Shuichiro Yoshino |
|---|---|---|
| Win outright | -1600 | +830 |
| Win by KO/TKO | +260 | +1300 |
| Win by points or decision | -220 | +1700 |
| Draw | +2600 | +2600 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook as of April 6, 2022.
Shakur Stevenson vs Shuichiro Yoshino betting predictions
Picks made on April 4. Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Shakur Stevenson vs Shuichiro Yoshino betting preview
The prodigious Stevenson aims to jump to the front of the line to face the winner of Devin Haney vs. Vasyl Lomachenko later this year. Many believe Stevenson is potentially one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing, and oddsmakers expect him to show out against Yoshino.
Stevenson has effortlessly won titles at featherweight and junior lightweight. The biggest struggle he’s had was making the junior lightweight limit, which prompted the move. We’ve seen Stevenson fight with surgical precision, with a rapier-like jab and excellent footwork that nobody has an answer for yet. What’s scary is that as deep as the lightweight division may be, Stevenson would likely be the favorite against everyone in the weight class.
How Stevenson will look in his new division is yet to be seen. While his boxing abilities are second-to-none, his punching power is his biggest liability. Stevenson only has nine knockouts for a subpar KO ratio of 47%, but makes up for it with his evasiveness and counter-punching. Even so, Stevenson’s punch selection and hand speed are excellent closing tools if he scores a stunning blow.
Yoshino is unknown outside of Japan, but the Japanese lightweight champion is a capable fighter. He is also undefeated and is coming off a sixth-round TKO win over Masayoshi Nakatani, beating him faster than both Teofimo Lopez and Lomachenko were able to. He also has an impressive win over a former junior lightweight champion, Masayuki Ito.
The orthodox boxer from Kanuma carries on the methodical style found in Japan. He is the puncher in this fight, having 12 knockouts in 16 wins, and he looks to be at his apex based on the strength of his recent wins. Having fought at lightweight for the duration of his career, he has the tools to trouble Stevenson if he underestimates him.
If this turns out to be a contest of wits, Stevenson will run away with it. Japanese fighters are fundamentally solid and unexpectedly tough, so it wouldn’t surprise me one bit that Yoshino gives Stevenson a scare. It will be telling how Stevenson reacts to an opponent who might be able to walk through whatever he’s firing at him.
Shakur Stevenson vs Shuichiro Yoshino boxing prediction and best bet
Prediction: Stevenson moneyline (-1600)
So far, Stevenson has looked untouchable. That trend is likely to continue against a fighter who should do better than we expect but will be outclassed all the same. This isn’t the fight that will test Stevenson’s viability at lightweight, though we could get a taste of that at some point early on.
The chances for an upset will be based on if Yoshino can hammer Stevenson early on, but most of Yoshino’s big wins happen in the second half of the fight. Once Stevenson gets into a rhythm, Yoshino will fail to turn the momentum as he gets peppered by potshots and combinations.
It will end up being a tactical affair, and that overwhelmingly favors Stevenson.
Prediction: Stevenson moneyline (-1600 at DraftKings)
Best Bet: Stevenson by decision (-240)
Stevenson has been dominating fighters, but he hasn’t been knocking them out. The new weight should see him add some size and feasible power as well, but he’s never been that kind of fighter. Maybe Stevenson rocks Yoshino with a big shot and scores a flash knockdown, but a knockout? Not unless he’s wiping him out from the onset.
This fight is going to go the distance, and we’re making our best bet that Stevenson wins on the scorecards.
Prediction: Stevenson by decision (-240 at DraftKings)
