Cuban Jadier Herrera is a new option as a replacement opponent for WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson to fight this Saturday, February 22nd, in Riyadh. Stevenson’s management needs a substitute after his original opponent, Floyd Schofield, pulled out with an illness. Jadier Herrera, 22, has the talent to beat Shakur.
(Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
The Prospects
Ariel Helwani reports that #14 WBC ranked lightweight contender Jadier Herrera and Josh Padley are the two options that are being considered for Shakur’s fight on Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 card at the Kingdom Arena. Padley (15-0, 4 KOs) not nearly as talented as the southpaw Herrera, but he’s British and coming off a big win over Mark Chamberlain.
Herrera is a better fighter than Schofield, and he is much more dangerous due to his power, technical skills, and southpaw stance. If Shakur’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, doesn’t mind him potentially getting knocked out by Jadier Herrera, this is a great replacement option and a big upgrade over Floyd Schofield. The Cuban has sneaky power in his left hand. The way he unleashes it reminds me of super middleweight Osley Iglesias. If Herrera hits Shakur with that left, they’ll be scooping him up off the canvas with a spatula.
Shakur will have a built-in excuse if he loses to Jadier Herrera. He can blame it on taking the fight on three days’ notice and not having prepared for a southpaw with one-punch power.
Hearn has 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, whom he could use as a replacement as well. Cruz is equally talented as Shakur but with more power and a more entertaining style. He’s another one who would have an excellent chance of beating Shakur. It comes down to whether Hearn believes in Shakur enough to allow him to fight Jadier or Andy Cruz because both of them would have a good chance of beating him.
“I understand the want to keep Shakur on the card, but I don’t know of anyone that can come in on three day’s notice and be in shape,” said Ade Oladipo on Ariel Helwani’s YouTube channel, talking about Shakur Stevenson needing a replacement opponent after Floyd Schofield pulled out.
“Three days for anyone to fight Shakur Stevenson, who is in shape, is going to be a crazy mismatch. I love Josh Padley. I hope he gets the opportunity. He came in and upset Mark Chamberlain on the [September 21st] Wembley [Stadium] card. But what weight is he walking around at now?
“Josh Padley is a lightweight. These guys normally walk around at 170 and cut down to that weight. I don’t know where he’s at right now. I’m surprised he [Joe Cordina] hasn’t been given a call here. I don’t know if he’d have taken the fight.”
Last Updated on 02/19/2025
Read the full article here
